OT: Easter Customs

[Guest guest]

Some origins of the more cutesy aspects of the Easter customs []

 

Here comes Peter Cottontail .. hopping down the bunny trail .... hippity

hopping Easter's on its way ... []

 

*Smile*

Chris (list mom)

 

Spring Incense Available Now!

http://www.alittleolfactory.com

 

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Easter Customs

http://www.everythingeaster.com/traditions/eastercustoms.asp

 

Why do we celebrate with rabbits, eggs and new clothes? The story behind

the customs

 

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We pretty much prepare for Easter the same way each year. We buy new

clothes, buy a bunch of candy for the Easter basket and hide eggs around

the house. We do it every year, but do we know why? There's a story

behind each tradition.

 

The Date of Easter

The day we celebrate changes every year because it is based on the moon.

Easter is celebrated on the Sunday following the first full moon after

the spring equinox.

 

Easter Eggs

In ancient Egypt and Persia friends exchanged decorated eggs at the

spring equinox. The eggs were a symbol of fertility for them because the

chicken being born from an egg was such a surprise to people of ancient

times. Christians of the Near East used the egg to symbolize the tomb

from which Jesus broke forth. They were often colored red to represent

the blood of Christ. That's how eggs first began to be colored for the

holiday.

 

Rabbits

The first mention of the Easter Bunny and his eggs comes from Germany in

the late 1500s. In many parts of Germany the people believed the Easter

bunny laid red eggs on Holy Thursday and multi-colored eggs the night

before Easter Sunday.

 

Easter Lilies

In early Christian art the lily is a symbol of purity because of its

delicate form and white color. In fact, lilies did not exist in North

America until about 100 years ago. The lily was adopted as the Easter

flower because it blooms around Easter time in the spring.

 

New Clothes

In the early church many people were baptized at the Easter Vigil and

were dressed in a white robe. The robe would be worn all week as a

symbol of their new life. Those who were baptized in prior years did not

wear white robes but instead would wear new clothes to show their new

life in Christ

 

Easter Parade

During the Middle Ages in Europe, people in their new clothes and white

robes they would take a walk after Easter Mass. It was a kind of

procession preceded by a crucifix of the Easter Candle. The tradition

evolved into Easter parades.