how did the tradition of hiding eggs on Easter get started?

Answer 1

here's some interesting info for ya:

Answer 2

We miss out on a lot here in North America in terms of history.
My understanding is that the history of the eggs' spiritual and religious signifigance and symbolism are very wide spread from India through the Middle East right up into northern Europe, Great Britain and Irland.
The Egyptions, Muslims, Hindus, the Druids on into Christianity ( all be it in the case of Christainity, lightly and more culturally through tradition and folk customs)and 'others' I am sure, take stock in its signifigance and symbolism in various ways.
As someone mentioned here the Cosmic Egg, harckens to the origons of the universe. The Cosmic Egg and the origon of the universe is a part of several of these beliefs.
I hope some more people can elaborate with greater detail and source material on some of these. I will say though, that in terms of its fertility signifigance, our ancesstores had a much more matter of fact way of thinking about procreation and understood the relationship to the health of their communitites and the environment in both practical and sacred terms.
It is no coinsidence that the disimpowerment of women paralells the misunderstandings around this part of our history and that as our self-determination gains ground that we are starting to see our anscestors and their ways a new. I am not saying that we are trying for an exact replication of our ancestors lifestyles, but that we need to learn and evolve further in understanding them and see what we can leaarn from them. Nor am I saying that these things have been in the past, now or in the future, any gaurentee of our safety and autonomy as women in our various cultures, societies, relationships or religions. However, I do feel there is an interesting relationship here for us that supports our welbeong worth being learning from. The egg is a reminder to me of at least 'part 'of who I am as a woman and my infinite protential!!!!!!!!!!
Now some of you will be uncomfortable with this, I am not however. I find it fascinating.The Celts in UK, may beloved ancestors...hahaha, not sure of specifics, used to barey eggs out in their feilds with the crops. I think it was the young women that would barey the eggs on a full or new moon and then choose a male partner the following day to take into the field and 'procreate'. I have it in one of my books somewhere. I will go and check if I have t ime later today.
Now this is very old! So I am sure there are some other nice little stories that come later. This all makes a lot of sense to me though! Women could choose who to breed with and then choose a different man to raise the family with. Now, there is a certain logic in that that would have made my life a lot easier!!!!!LOL!!!!!!Hahahaha! Keep your sense of humor now all of you! Silly me, I married the man I was having children with! Also these men were good with this system. So, unlike today it wasn't an iffy thing that a man would raise another mans child. Adoptioon amongst the Celts was an honor and this was beyond adoption it was the way. So there you go!
The White Hare was carried by the goddess Eostra who was a maiden. The white was I suspect an indication of the purity and sanctity of the whole thing.Interesting isn't it?!! I love my anscestors!! I need more input here in the most sincere sense. No just sweeping it under the table with a blanket remark about the bibkle and Jesus. Though a lovely man and I adore him. Really.
The egg is the feminine principle. Not evil nor was the practice. Beating your wife and raping her because you think it is your divine right is evil. Some of you more compassionate Christians won't get that but others will!

Peace.

Answer 3

The name Easter comes from a pagan figure called Eastre (or Eostre) who was celebrated as the goddess of spring by the Saxons of Northern Europe. A festival called Eastre was held during the spring equinox by these people to honor her. The goddess Eastre’s earthly symbol was the rabbit, which was also known as a symbol of fertility. Originally, there were some very pagan (and sometimes utterly evil) practices that went along with the celebration. In our day, Easter is almost a completely commercialized holiday, with all the focus on Easter eggs and the Easter bunny being remnants of the goddess worship.

Answer 4

It was Pope Peter Rabbit that first started the egg-hiding tradition among The Hare Club For Men. This secret has been passed down among Easter Bunnies for generations and generations on.

Answer 5

We can thank the Germans for the American tradition of Easter baskets and for the idea of coloring and hiding Easter eggs. German immigrants brought this tradition to America in the later 19th century. German children found hidden eggs in their shoes and in baskets.

Answer 6

people just naturally got tired of leaving them out in the open-easter egg hunts used to be, like, SO totally boring. kids prefer a bit of a challenge

Answer 7

Easter is the pagan holiday of fertility -- hence the rabbits and eggs, their symbols.

it was only hijacked by christians later, as part of their fiction.

Answer 8

Probably from the habit of brooding hens hiding their eggs from us.

Answer 9

Christians invented Peter Rabbit - because the truth was to ugly to behold, even for grown ups.
The "eggs" were hiden in the womans "basket", Peter provided the sperm, to put it bluntly. Its kindo like the virgin birth of the mans church. (Without aid of the woman, which they have blotted out).

Answer 10

Ask Bugs Bunny. He should know.