Easter Eggs & Easter Bunnies
Eggs have been used as symbols at festivals since before the time of Jesus, but are now particularly synonymous with Easter and the story of the resurrection. Eggs are said to represent new life, and for Christians when they are cracked open, they stand for the empty tomb following Jesus’ rising. Eggs are also considered special, because although they do not seem alive they have life within them - especially in springtime when chicks hatch out.
In previous times people gave gifts of eggs carved from wood or precious stones. It is only in the last 100 years or so that sweet eggs have been eaten. The size and range of chocolate eggs available seems to increase every year. The tallest chocolate egg was 10.39 metres tall and made in Italy in 2011. It weighed 7.2 kilograms and was 9.6 metres at its widest point!
It is not known exactly who first created the story of the Easter Bunny, but it seems to have its origins in Germany. It was first mentioned in German texts in the 16th Century. In the 1700’s German immigrants told stories when they went to America of egg- laying rabbits, and they encouraged children to use caps and bonnets to make nests which the Easter bunny would fill with coloured eggs - if they’d been good. The first
52
edible Easter bunnies appeared in Germany during the early 1800s and were made of pastry and sugar. The symbol of the rabbit was probably chosen because of its associations with fertility and spring. It is believed that Eostre, the Anglo Saxon God of Spring, had a hare as a companion.
In addition to having Easter Egg Hunts to search for the eggs left by the Bunny, another common Easter activity is egg rolling. This is done using real hard boiled eggs, and time is usually spent decorating them beforehand. In years gone by the eggs were dyed using onion skin, today’s painting process is much easier. In the UK egg rolling is generally done by rolling eggs down a hill, and the winner is the one whose egg rolls further or survives the most rolls. In the early nineteenth century in Northern Ireland, egg rolling was described as ‘trindling’ or ‘trundling.’ Another traditional game involves holding your egg in the palm of the hand and banging against your opponent’s egg. The loser is the one whose egg breaks first.
In the USA one of the most well known events is held on the White House Lawn, and involves parents and children pushing eggs along through the grass with wooden spoons.
To advertise in thewire t. 07720 429 613 e.
the.wire@btinternet.com
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101