Easter Eggs
The custom of giving eggs at Easter celebrates new life. Christians remember that
Jesus, after dying on the cross, rose from the dead. This miracle showed that life
could win over death.
For Christians the egg is a symbol of Jesus' resurrection, as when they are cracked
open they stand for the empty tomb. No-one actually knows when eggs were first used
as symbols at festival times but it was long before Jesus' time. Eggs were always thought
to be special because although they do not seem alive, they have life within
them especially at springtime when chicks hatch out.
Long ago people gave gifts of eggs carved from wood or precious stones. The first sweet eggs that
were eaten were made in the last 100 years from sugar or marzipan. Since then
chocolate eggs have become popular and these are given on Easter Sunday.
In some countries parents tell their children the Easter Hare or Bunny has hidden chocolate eggs
and they race to find them round the house or garden. Children in other
countries decorate hard-boiled eggs at Easter time by painting or dyeing them.
In some countries such as the United States egg rolling is a popular Easter game. This
is usually done with coloured eggs. One of the most well known events is held in
America on the White House lawn. Children and parents push the eggs along through
the grass with wooden spoons.