The Symbols of Easter ~ Eggs and Chicks

Eggs ~ A Symbol of New Life

Along with rabbits, eggs have a connection to ancient pagan festivals of celebrating spring. Eggs have been considered a symbol of new life and fertility for centuries. In ancient times eggs were painted bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring.

Eggs and Christianity

With the advent of Christianity, not only did the egg represent the re-birth of spring but it came to be a symbol of Jesus Christ's resurrection from the tomb. Just as a baby chick emerges from the shell so Christ emerged from the tomb. In modern times as well as ancient times people have held egg-rolling contests. Some say that the rolling of the egg is a representation of the stone being rolled away from the entrance of Christ's tomb. 

The Lenten Season

In Medieval Europe, it was forbidden to eat eggs during lent, so the eggs that were laid during that time were preserved by boiling in water or by other means. With Easter signaling the end of the Lenten fast, the preserved eggs were then a delightful addition to the Easter feast as well as a prized gift for children and servants.

A Couple of Side Notes

Today, many families and communities throughout the world hold Easter egg hunts in which hard-boiled eggs and candy filled plastic eggs are hidden for children to find. It is interesting to note that since 2008, The International Association of Bomb Investigators and Technicians have sponsored a nationwide charity campaign in the U.S., building beeping Easter eggs every year for vision impaired children. 

Also, did you know that an intentional hidden message, in-joke or feature in a work such as a computer program, web page, video game, movie, book or crossword is referred to as an Easter Egg? Uh-huh, it is.     

Sources: The Holiday Spot  Wikipedia

Image: InfoBarrel