What does a rabbit have to do with Easter?
Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), so they became a symbol of new life. Legend has it that the Easter Bunny lays, decorates and hides eggs as they are also a symbol of new life. This is why some children might enjoy Easter egg hunts as part of the festival.
What are the origins of Easter?
The naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at beginning of spring. The only reference to this goddess comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century.
Why is Easter red?
In the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, Easter eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, with further symbolism being found in the hard shell of the egg symbolizing the sealed Tomb of Christ — the cracking of which symbolized his resurrection from the dead.
Is Easter a pagan ritual?
Well, it turns out Easter actually began as a pagan festival celebrating spring in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity. Following the advent of Christianity, the Easter period became associated with the resurrection of Christ.
Is it OK to wear red on Easter?
Easter brings with it much joyful celebration. Today, many of these colors are still used to celebrate the Easter season. Purple, white, red, pink, black, green, and gold are seven such colors—read on to learn about what these hues represent during Easter.
Is it OK to wear black on Easter?
Especially if going to church, I would suggest a lot of black is safer and more chic than arriving dressed in bright colours. On Easter Sunday, especially if it’s a sunny spring day, you will naturally see brighter outfits being worn, but think more pastels / whites / soft beiges rather than the whole rainbow range.
Why should we not celebrate Easter?
Most Christians are unaware that Easter is a pagan festival surreptitiously merged with Christianity. Easter is not a Christian holiday. Most Christians are unaware that Easter is a pagan festival surreptitiously merged with Christianity. …
What is the Easter Bunny’s name?
Peter Rabbit
B.B. Answer: The name actually derives from a 1914 children’s book, “The Adventures of Peter Cottontail” by children’s story author Thornton Burgess. The character’s actual name was “Peter Rabbit,” and he originated with writer Beatrix Potter, who named the character after her childhood pet rabbit Peter Piper.
How did the Easter egg become a symbol of rebirth?
The egg was subsequently adopted by Christians worldwide as a symbol of rebirth. As a further boost, eggs were forbidden in Lent, so Easter was a time to celebrate eating them again. In medieval times eggs were thrown from one choirboy to the next until the church struck twelve, whereupon the boy holding the egg won.
Why do people dye their eggs red on Easter?
Hardboiled eggs were dyed red in memory of Christ’s blood, then given to children as a talisman to preserve their health over the ensuing twelve months. This custom survived in slightly altered form almost until the present — it wasn’t that long ago one would find beautifully decorated Pace eggs kept year-round in British households for luck.
Are there any superstitions about being born on Easter?
Indeed, some say one risks having one’s eyes pecked out by crows! Children born on Easter Day are deemed especially fortunate. Those born on Good Friday, however, are doomed to be unlucky. Holy water saved from the Easter service is said to be particularly effective as a cure for a wide range of ills.
Where does the Easter Bunny come from and why?
In northern Europe, the hare was considered sacred to Eastre, and therefore was not to be hunted. The Easter Bunny is of German origin. He shows up in 16th century literature as a deliverer of eggs, in his own way a springtime St. Nicholas bent on rewarding the good. (Colored eggs were left only for well-behaved good children, you see.)
