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The origins of Easter
Easter is usually celebrated on a Sunday in late March or early April to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead after being crucified – an event believed by Christians to have occurred between 30 and 33 AD.
Easter doesn't have a fixed date; people usually consider it to be the Sunday after the first full moon or after the spring equinox. Therefore, Easter is also considered a spring festival, celebrating the change of seasons with many vibrant colors.
Palestinians at an Easter service in a Christian church.
This year, Easter falls on April 12, 2020.
The meaning of Easter
Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross, but then rose from the dead and ascended to Heaven in triumph. Because Jesus overcame death, Christians believe that only He has the power to grant them eternal life. Because of this belief, Christians sing hymns annually during Easter, as well as weekly on Sundays.
Easter is also a celebration of hope because it takes place when spring returns to all living things.
Other names for Easter
In ancient Germany, Easter was considered a spring festival (Frühlingsfest). Germans also called it Ostarum, a name derived from the goddess "Ostara" and the word "Ostern" (Easter), implying a focus on the east where the sun is about to rise.
The Jews call this holiday Paschafest. The Egyptians called it Osterlamm (Paschal lamb) because on the first full moon of spring, they would slaughter a lamb to celebrate their liberation from oppression and slavery.
Symbols of Easter
On this day, people often give each other gifts such as colorful decorated eggs, rabbits, or slices of ham, which are symbolic of the holiday.
Easter Eggs
Eggs are the oldest symbol of Easter, representing fertility and new beginnings. On this occasion, people often give each other eggs decorated in various eye-catching colors or made of chocolate, plaster, or even wool, all decorated by hand, as a way of expressing their wishes.
Easter Bunny
Besides being a symbol of fertility, rabbits are also an image of abundant and vigorous vitality. In particular, rabbits are associated with the legend of Ostara – the goddess of spring, after whom Easter is named.
According to legend, once upon a time, the goddess Ostara brought spring to Earth late, causing all creatures to suffer from the cold, including a dying bird whose wings were frozen. Out of compassion, Ostara transformed the bird into a rabbit, granting it the ability to lay eggs and run fast. With these abilities, the goddess intended the rabbit to take on the task of delivering gifts to children every spring. Later, the divine rabbit inadvertently angered Ostara, and she cast it into the sky, transforming it into the constellation Lepus. Once a year, the rabbit is only allowed to descend to Earth in spring to deliver its lovely eggs to the people.
Goddess Ostara
Since then, the image of a rabbit carrying eggs has become a distinctive feature of Western Easter celebrations.
Jambon
Today, ham seems indispensable on the tables of Christians around the world during Easter. For them, pork is considered the food of God. If the first full moon of autumn is the best time to salt and preserve pork, then spring is when Westerners consume this preserved food. Therefore, ham has become a traditional dish on the table every Easter.
New clothes
Christians believe that wearing new clothes at Easter will bring good luck for the rest of the year. According to this belief, new clothes represent renewal and a lucky beginning – important elements of each Easter celebration. For Catholics, Easter also represents belief in rebirth and hope for good things to come.
Easter Candle
Fire symbolizes bringing light and warmth to people. Furthermore, Christians believe that the Easter fire will illuminate the long, dark days and nights, guiding them to what is right and peaceful.
Before the start of Easter Mass, priests will perform a fire procession around the church, and parishioners will also light candles in their hands.
The candle has five nail marks (representing the five wounds of Jesus) embedded in its body. Above them are the letters Alpha and below are the letters Omega, meaning "first" and "last" in Greek, symbolizing Jesus as the "beginning and the end".
What do we do on Easter Day?
Easter is a special spring holiday, a time for families to gather and for many fun activities for children.
Dye the eggs
Dyed eggs are a fairly common tradition for children on this day. Eggs are bought from stores and then dyed with food coloring. The dyed boiled eggs are then displayed as decorations throughout the holiday.
If eggs are stored properly and safe food coloring is used, only the eggshell will be stained.
Easter Egg Hunt and Race
Another Easter tradition that involves eggs is Easter egg hunts. In many countries around the world, parents hide colorful eggs for children to find. Schools, churches, and local community organizations often hold these fun egg hunts for children, with the kids competing to see who can find the most eggs.
Each child will hold a pretty woven basket and together they will search for the eggs that the Easter bunny has left behind.
There's also the equally fun egg race. All it takes is a long spoon or a small stick, and the children can race eggs together. They roll the eggs to the finish line, and whoever's egg reaches the finish line first wins.
Give the gift of an "Easter basket".
Easter baskets are a popular gift that families often give each other on this day. Each basket usually contains gifts, candy, and many other fun things.
What should we eat on Easter?
Easter Breakfast
Most families choose to have breakfast between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. (brunch). The menu usually includes the usual breakfast and lunch dishes. Of course, the inclusion of egg dishes is unavoidable.
Besides eggs, other items featured on the table include pies and fruit tarts; alcoholic beverages such as Bloody Marys or Mimosas... These drinks, made with champagne and orange juice, are perfectly suited to the flavors of spring.
Grilled dishes
Families attending church on Easter mornings often save room in their stomachs for a hearty Easter lunch or dinner. A typical meal includes grilled meats served with a variety of vegetables and appetizers. Ham and lamb are two of the most common choices for Easter.
Lamb is the traditional choice because Jesus came from Jewish culture and Jews do not eat pork. Meanwhile, roasted cured meats have gradually become a popular Easter dish in recent centuries, as cured meats require careful refrigeration.
Easter 2020 was a quieter and more somber celebration compared to previous years, due to travel and gathering restrictions imposed by many countries to limit the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although unable to attend church or exchange Easter gifts, Christians could still gather with their families, prepare traditional Easter meals, and pray for the pandemic to end soon.
