Did you know…
I was doing some research for the next River's Bend story (coming soon!) about the tradition of hunting for eggs at Easter. Did you know it was practiced by
none other than Martin Luther, the Protestant Christian reformer and father of
the modern Lutheran church? It is a known fact that Luther held Easter egg
hunts where the men hid eggs for the women and children to find. Their hunt for
eggs is symbolic of the apostles and the women hunting for the risen Jesus.
The egg has long been tied to Easter and the tomb. The Easter egg was seen by early Christians as
a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus, and the egg was likened to the tomb from
which he rose.
Most cultures use eggs as a part of their Easter
celebrations. They’re dyed red by the Greeks, emptied and painted with brilliant colors and patterns in the Ukraine, baked onto the King Cake
in New Orleans... The idea of the Easter Bunny bringing eggs has been around at
least since the 17th century.
Did you have an
Easter Egg Hunt at your house this Easter? Inquiring minds and all that…
Tracy
I used to have one every year when the kids were little. So not this year.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Debby. Thanks for dropping by!
DeleteSuch fun and the history. I enjoy historic tidbits. No Easter egg hunts at my house, but each Easter Old Colorodo City does it up big, rain or shine. Doris
ReplyDeleteThe hard boiled egg is also used on the Passover Seder during the Jewish holiday Jesus celebrated before he was crucified. It is a symbol of eternal life. I always thought that was interesting because it's where Christian and Jewish beliefs coincide.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I did not have an Easter egg hunt since there are no longer any little kids in the family, I used to love participating in them as a kid.
I enjoyed your post, Tracy. Loved the picture of decorated eggs. I don't think I've ever seen any eggs so intricately decorated before.
Sarah, I learned the wax and dye method used in these eggs. Time consuming but fun.
DeleteThey look fantastic, like little works of art. You did a great job. I wouldn't find it in my heart to break the shell on any of these.
DeleteFor the first time in at least the past 27 years we did not have an Easter egg hunt at our home. As I watched the grandkids search for their Easter goodies, my mind raced back to all of the wonderful egg hunts we had through the years. But life is full of change. There will be no more Easter egg hunts at grandma and grandpa's house. A new tradition has begun. I have never heard of the religious connection about the egg. Very interesting stuff.
ReplyDeleteI haven't orchestrated an Easter egg hunt for years, but hiding and hunting Easter eggs was definitely a part of my childhood that I kept going for my kids and they've kept it going with their kiddoes. I went so far as to buy a box of Pas to decorate eggs this year, but I didn't get around to it. :-)
ReplyDeleteThis is all news to me. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTracy, dyeing eggs was always SOOOOO much fun for me when I was a kid. I remember doing it the "old fashioned way"--with food coloring and vinegar! My kids used the little Paas kits and always enjoyed that so much. The hunting was the best part of Easter. Very nice post--I didn't know the background.
ReplyDelete