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The Origins of the Easter Egg

April 8, 2007

This Easter Sunday, let me take you on a ride in history as we discover the origins of the easter egg.

It all started with the Easter Bunny, which was called a “hare-spirit” before. Since hares had lots (and I mean lots!) of litter, most cultures regarded it as a symbol of birth and fertility. The custom of hunting for easter eggs began with this, since children believed that rabbits laid eggs in the grass. OMG! So much for parents telling kids crappy stories.

Anyways, the early Romans believed that “all life comes from the egg” and early Christians consider the egss as the “seed of life”. Mayhaps, the representation of the symbolism of Christ’s Resurrection came from this belief.

More on the egg and the traditions involving it: In the great civilizations of Greece, Persia, Egypt and Rome, it was customary to paint and elaborately dye eggs to be given as a gift. Now, in modern times, the English, the Germans and some European countries began a tradition of rolling eggs down the hill during Easter morning. Supposedly, this is connected with the rolling of the rock at Christ’s tomb during that same morning.

But another unconfirmed origin is told about the egg. This time, it takes place during the weeks that passed since the death of Jesus. It is said the Mary Magdalene herself went to the Emperor of Rome and brought him a gift – an egg dyed red. Mary told the Emperor that “Christ is risen” and began preaching about the life of Jesus.

The modern tradition of hunting for eggs was said to have originated in the early nineteenth century when US First Lady Dolly Madison organized an “egg roll event” for children on the White House lawn. She had been told that the Egyptians did this in the shadows of the great pyramids and the event has been held in the White House lawn traditionally ever since.

Now, the term “Easter Egg” can apply to anything hidden. Much of this has been used by wicked developers for videogames. They would design and hide elaborate jokes or hidden game components for the players to find.

But that’s another topic for another post.

Happy Easter to all!

GM Tristan

[...]Photo courtesy of National Geographic[...]
 

Written by gmtristan · Filed Under Education, General, Religion 

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