The History of the Easter Egg
Most of us enjoy Easter eggs, even though we may not have a clue as to what they have to do with this religious holiday, or where the idea came from to decorate them with colors and pictures. Tradition has it that the connection between the egg and spring started over a thousand years ago with early pagans who considered the birth of the new growing season as wondrous as the miracle of the egg that harbors new life. While some argue this point, there is no doubt that the egg does symbolize birth, and there have always been celebrations in the spring to honor this season.Others claim that the egg became more and more important symbolically at the advent of Christianity and the concept of Lent. Certain foods were avoided during the Lenten season, and eggs were one of them. When Easter came, the eggs were brought to the church, along with other foods to be blessed. In the Eastern churches today, many of these eggs are colored red to symbolize the blood that Christ shed for the redemption of sins.Of course, the Russians took the concept of egg decorating to a whole new level with their Faberge collections. The tzars commissioned Easter eggs that were works of art, complete with tiny scenes tucked away inside, and the outside encrusted with jewels. While most people don’t create these today, many people still decorate various forms and sizes of eggs with intricate designs.Over the years, eggs have evolved, and are now made of plastic, glass, ceramics and every other material. Of course, thanks to the addition of the Easter bunny, most eggs end up being hidden on Easter morning, so that children can search for them. Because of that, they have evolved into chocolate eggs as well, and they have become one of the most recognizable secular symbols of Easter.Chocolate Easter eggs were a German creation. Germans, who were one the groups of people who first honored the arrival of spring with eggs, first came up with the idea of the chocolate egg in the 1800’s. Chocolate, at that time, was a luxury food, and these were no doubt originally created only for the wealthy. However today, chocolate eggs are commonplace, right along with the ever popular chocolate bunny.Whatever, their origin in relation to Easter, the season just wouldn’t be the same without eggs. They are a part of Easter that will always be welcome.
