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Easter Decorations: Baskets, Wreaths, Easter Eggs, Bunny And Easter Tree
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Published: October 29, 2007
According to ancient Greek traditions, the word Easter was derived from Eostre, the goddess of Spring. The Greeks believed that every end of winter, Eostre would come back, bringing with her the warmth of spring. So as to make Eostre come back every year, the Greeks would hold extravagant celebrations in her name.
Just like other pagan rituals, this ancient Greek celebration coincides with the date of Equinox. After Christianity was introduced, Easter was no longer a pagan tradition. It became a symbol of Jesus' immortality and his resurrection after dying on the cross. To further solidify Easter's Christian roots, the church declared that the date of Easter is to be celebrated on the first Sunday after the Equinox full moon.
Today, Easter is known as a Christian tradition but its pagan roots can still be seen in Easter decorations used when celebrating this occasion. Popular Easter decorations include the iconic Easter bunny, Easter eggs, colorful baskets or wreaths, and the symbolic Easter tree. Easter decorations symbolize many things about the celebratory day.
The Easter decorations tradition would not be the same without the ever-popular Easter eggs. Based on pagan traditions, multi-colored eggs symbolize the growth of crops after a cold winter. As a result, pagans used to paint Easter eggs with images depicting the sunrise or the northern lights. Colorful Easter eggs are also believed to symbolize fertility, life and renewal. According to Christians, eggs were used by Mary as bribes for Roman soldiers in exchange for her son's life. This is the reason why Easter eggs are considered as lucky tokens and are prevalent Easter decorations.
One of the most recognized Easter decorations, the Easter bunny is a focal point of Easter. According to an ancient legend, Ostara, a deity revered by the Anglo-Saxons who symbolized fertility and love, once had a bird that became a rabbit and laid eggs. Ostara then gave these eggs to children. This story, according to some, was the basis of the Easter bunny's origins. Hares were originally linked to Easter because these creatures also symbolized fertility. Hares were changed to rabbits when it was recognized that rabbits are more reproductive compared to hares. These Easter decorations are seen everywhere from figurines to candy during the holiday.
Easter baskets were originally used as a means of bringing crops and food items to pagan temples for a bountiful harvest. After Easter became a Christian tradition, these symbolic baskets were filled with food items to be blessed by a priest inside a church. For present day Easter decorations, baskets are used to hold the decorated eggs and to fill with small gifts and candy for children.
One possible explanation for the use of a wreaths as Easter decorations is their circular shape which denotes eternity or immortality. The shape of an Easter wreath is similar to that of a Christmas wreath. Wreaths are therefore used as Easter decorations because they symbolize Jesus' immortality proven through his resurrection.
As with Christmas, Easter trees round out the common Easter decorations. Similar to a maypole, some European countries dance around an Easter tree as a means of celebration. A collection of Easter twigs that were also used in rituals, an Easter tree can also be linked to palm twigs used during Palm Sunday.
Easter decorations are varying and can be used in multitudes of ways. By adorning the home with pastel-colored Easter decorations, the true spirit of the holiday can be felt.
Sources:
Hugoson, Marlene. "Instant Tradition: The Introduction of the Swedish Easter Tree." Folklore. 117 (2006). Questia. 25 Oct. 2007. http://www.questia.com/read/5014800999.
Wertkin, Gertkin & Kogan, Lee. "Eastern European American Folk Art." Encyclopedia of American Folk Art. 2004. Questia. 25 Oct. 2007. http://www.questia.com/read/110904768.
Rauschart, Lisa. "Easter Egg Designs Are a Folk-Art 'Prayer'; Craft Shows Devotion, and Not Just at Easter." The Washington Times. 24 March 2005. Questia. 25 Oct. 2007.
http://www.questia.com/read/5009048430.
Harvester, Anne. "Easter Basket History." Amazines. 06 March 2007. 25 Oct. 2007. http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/220604? articleid=220604.
Gast, Walter. "Symbols in Christian Art & Architecture." 25 Oct. 2007. http://wegast.home.att.net/symbols/symbolsc/symbol sc.html.
Leino, Gail. "Easter: A Celebration of Rebirth." EzineArticles. 08 Nov. 2006. 24 Oct. 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Easter:-A-Celebration-of -Rebirth&id=350913.
Related Articles
Today, Easter is known as a Christian tradition but its pagan roots can still be seen in Easter decorations used when celebrating this occasion. Popular Easter decorations include the iconic Easter bunny, Easter eggs, colorful baskets or wreaths, and the symbolic Easter tree. Easter decorations symbolize many things about the celebratory day.
The Easter decorations tradition would not be the same without the ever-popular Easter eggs. Based on pagan traditions, multi-colored eggs symbolize the growth of crops after a cold winter. As a result, pagans used to paint Easter eggs with images depicting the sunrise or the northern lights. Colorful Easter eggs are also believed to symbolize fertility, life and renewal. According to Christians, eggs were used by Mary as bribes for Roman soldiers in exchange for her son's life. This is the reason why Easter eggs are considered as lucky tokens and are prevalent Easter decorations.
One of the most recognized Easter decorations, the Easter bunny is a focal point of Easter. According to an ancient legend, Ostara, a deity revered by the Anglo-Saxons who symbolized fertility and love, once had a bird that became a rabbit and laid eggs. Ostara then gave these eggs to children. This story, according to some, was the basis of the Easter bunny's origins. Hares were originally linked to Easter because these creatures also symbolized fertility. Hares were changed to rabbits when it was recognized that rabbits are more reproductive compared to hares. These Easter decorations are seen everywhere from figurines to candy during the holiday.
Easter baskets were originally used as a means of bringing crops and food items to pagan temples for a bountiful harvest. After Easter became a Christian tradition, these symbolic baskets were filled with food items to be blessed by a priest inside a church. For present day Easter decorations, baskets are used to hold the decorated eggs and to fill with small gifts and candy for children.
One possible explanation for the use of a wreaths as Easter decorations is their circular shape which denotes eternity or immortality. The shape of an Easter wreath is similar to that of a Christmas wreath. Wreaths are therefore used as Easter decorations because they symbolize Jesus' immortality proven through his resurrection.
As with Christmas, Easter trees round out the common Easter decorations. Similar to a maypole, some European countries dance around an Easter tree as a means of celebration. A collection of Easter twigs that were also used in rituals, an Easter tree can also be linked to palm twigs used during Palm Sunday.
Easter decorations are varying and can be used in multitudes of ways. By adorning the home with pastel-colored Easter decorations, the true spirit of the holiday can be felt.
Sources:
Hugoson, Marlene. "Instant Tradition: The Introduction of the Swedish Easter Tree." Folklore. 117 (2006). Questia. 25 Oct. 2007. http://www.questia.com/read/5014800999.
Wertkin, Gertkin & Kogan, Lee. "Eastern European American Folk Art." Encyclopedia of American Folk Art. 2004. Questia. 25 Oct. 2007. http://www.questia.com/read/110904768.
Rauschart, Lisa. "Easter Egg Designs Are a Folk-Art 'Prayer'; Craft Shows Devotion, and Not Just at Easter." The Washington Times. 24 March 2005. Questia. 25 Oct. 2007.
http://www.questia.com/read/5009048430.
Harvester, Anne. "Easter Basket History." Amazines. 06 March 2007. 25 Oct. 2007. http://www.amazines.com/article_detail.cfm/220604? articleid=220604.
Gast, Walter. "Symbols in Christian Art & Architecture." 25 Oct. 2007. http://wegast.home.att.net/symbols/symbolsc/symbol sc.html.
Leino, Gail. "Easter: A Celebration of Rebirth." EzineArticles. 08 Nov. 2006. 24 Oct. 2007. http://ezinearticles.com/?Easter:-A-Celebration-of -Rebirth&id=350913.
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