EASTER CUSTOMS & TRIVIA

 

The name EASTER comes from EASTRE, the Anglo-Saxon goddess, originally of the dawn and who symbolises the hare and the egg. In pagan times an annual spring festival was held in her honour

 

In pagan times it was thought that the sun died in winder and was reborn in the spring when days got longer.

 

EGGS are a symbol of new life. The custom of exchanging eggs began long before the Christian Easter celebration.

The Egyptians and the Persians both exchanged eggs decorated in spring colours. They believed that the earth was hatched from an egg.

 

RABBITS are a symbol of fertility & symbolise new life and rebirth in acncient Egypt.  Rabbits were a symbol of the moon & the moon determines the date of easter today

 

The White Lily is a symbol of the resurrection & is the easter flower

 

Coloured Easter Eggs originally painted with bright colours represent the sunlight of spring

 

The tradition of painting eggs is called PYSANKA

 

Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the full moon which is on or after March 21st, the Spring Equinox.

 

The Persians (Iranians) still celebrate the 21st March which is  their New Year.

 

The Americans celebrate Easter with a large easter egg hunt on the white house lawn.

 

The Pope, every year sends his "Urbi et Orbi" to the world

 

In medieval times a festival of egg throwing was held in church during which the priest would throw a hard-boiled egg to one of the choirboys. It was then tossed from one choirboy to the next and whoever held the egg when the clock struck 12 wasthe winner and retained the egg.

 

Easter bonnets are a throw back to the days when the people denied themselves the pleasure of wearing finery for the duration of Lent.

 

To the Jews the egg marked the time of their departure from the land of Egypt.

 

During the Octave of Easter in early Christian times, the newly baptised wore white garments, white being the liturgical colour of easter signifying light, purity and joy.

 

 

 

Gold & Silver               Slavic Peoples

Crimson & Red           Greeks

Green                          Germany & Austria

 

 

What do you get when you pour hot water down a rabbit hole? A hot cross bunny.

 

What do you get when you cross a bunny with an onion? A Bunion

 

Why did the Easter egg hide? He was a little chicken