What's the history behind Easter eggs?

Answer 1

Originally Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they were colored and etched with various designs the eggs were exchanged by lovers and romantic admirers, much the same as valentines. In medieval time eggs were traditionally given at Easter to the servants. In Germany eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts.Different cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs. Crimson eggs, to honor the blood of Christ, are exchanged in Greece. In parts of Germany and Austria green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday).

Answer 2

The origin of the Easter Bunny probably goes back to the festival's connection with the pagan goddess Eostre. Eostre (sometimes spelt Oestre) was a fertility goddess from whom we derive the word "oestrogen" and she is closely associated with fertility symbols such as eggs. The rabbit is known as a highly fertile creature and hence an obvious choice for Easter symbolism.

In fact the use of a rabbit is probably a mistake - the Easter "bunny" is more likely to be a hare, since it is the hare that is usually considered the sacred creature of Eostre. Hares have been considered sacred by many cultures inclusing the ancient Egyptians who believed them to watch the moon during the night. Although hares and rabbits are related they are most definitely different creatures, as a certain Bugs keeps reminding us!

Answer 3

Easter is the christiansed version of Ostara/Eostre the pagan pageant of fertility named after the fertility goddess whos sacred symbols are the egg , and the hare- (consequently additionally the easter bunny) the two symbols of fertilit y and the moon ( goddess is linked with the moon) Easter replaced into created as an attempt to transform pagans to christianity. I recieved some on Ostara and one from my mum this month as she celebrates Easter.

Answer 4

The story that I was taught was that when Jesus was on the cross women god eggs and placed them under him, thus covered in his blood. Hence we have red easter eggs.

Answer 5

the early church, in an effort to bring pagans to God, adopted many of their practices and symbols. the egg is the goddess eoster's talisman and an icon of rebirth. the rabbit is the symbol of fertility. they even named the holiday after the pagan goddess. Basically, it was the roman catholic church prostituting itself to the pagan world.
Either that or St Peter was a rabbit and the hare club for men is real.