Easter Symbols

Easter, as with most holidays, has sparked traditions and customs all its own. People all over the world have different ways to recognize the death and resurrection of Christ as well as celebrate the coming of spring.

The Cross: Since the Council of Nicaea in A.D. 325, the cross has been the official symbol of Christianity. The cross itself, is symbolic of our Good Friday faith--that Jesus died by way of crucifixion and rose again to save us from sin. However in the Western Roman Catholic Rite the cross symbolizes our total faith.

Flowers: The Easter Lily has long been a symbol of the new of life of Jesus. By itself, it stands as a Resurrection symbol and is often depicted in works of art as such. The Lily reminds us that all the events of Jesus' life point to His death and resurrection.

Flowers such as daffodils, narcissus' and the tulip are symbols of Easter because they bloom in the Spring - usually during the Easter season.

Pussy Willows are picked at Easter in England and Russia. People tap each other on the shoulders with a branch of the pussy willow for good luck.

Lambs: A lamb is also a symbol of Easter because Christians view Jesus Christ as "The Lamb of God" because He was sent as a sacrifice for the sins of the world. Also, Christians refer to the Lord as "The Good Shepherd" who watches over them. Among Eastern Rite Christians, especially the Greek Orthodox, lamb was considered the primary Easter symbol. Jesus was seen as the sacrificial lamb (1 Peter 1:18-21). This lamb, known as the Pascal lamb, was borrowed from the Jewish feast of Passover, also a spring feast. For our Jewish friends, the lamb of Passover was sacrificed and it's blood was placed on the door posts of the Hebrew slaves. The homes were then passed over by the angel of death immediately before the Exodus (Exodus 12:1-30). Passover was a feast of liberation and promise. Early Christians saw that the Lord himself was the Passover lamb. In the person of Jesus, Christians experience liberation and promise!

Rabbits and Bunnies: Rabbits are popular during Easter time because they are a reminder of spring and the new life that is abundant during springtime. They were the favorite animal of the spring goddess Eastre. The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season.

The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have its origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. These were made of pastry and sugar.

The German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s introduced the Easter bunny to American folklore. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered childhood's greatest pleasure next to a visit from Christ-Kindel ("Christchild") on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs. The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests. The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread throughout the country.

Eggs: For many years people have used eggs to symbolize rebirth and abundant life. Throughout Europe it has been customary to give colored eggs to friends and family at Easter. Christians were forbidden to eat eggs during Lent. They were brought out in splendor on Easter Sunday. They had, in the early centuries of Christianity, been associated with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

In order to dye red and golden eggs, one boiled them with red or yellow onion skins. Other colors were obtained by boiling or soaking the eggs in various herbal concoctions. In other places the eggs were painted or covered with gold leaf. Today, of course, we also have candy eggs. Whatever our custom, eggs serve to remind us of the abundant new life offered to us through the resurrection of Jesus.

Easter bells: In France and Italy, Easter Bells are rung throughout the year except on the Thursday before Good Friday. They remain silent as a way to remember the death of Jesus. They are then rung on Easter Sunday as a way of telling people Jesus is alive again.