The history of Easter

Some of the things many people think about when they think about Easter are eggs, bunnies, and candy.

There is no link or relationship between Easter bunnies and Jesus. Easter bunnies were first introduced to the Americas when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania in the 1700’s and brought their tradition of an egg-laying-hare known as Osterhase or Oschter Haws.

Eggs became a symbol for Easter around the 13th century. Also, in Easter, eggs represent rebirth and new life. It’s thought that during the medieval period, eating eggs was forbidden 40 days before Easter, also known as Lent. Lent is a 40 day event in which a person gives something up from Ash Wednesday until Holy Thursday sundown. In Christianity, egg decorating marked the end of Lent.

The reason why we hunt for eggs on Easter is that the Protestant reformer, Martin Luther, organized egg hunts for his congregation in the 16th century. The women and children would look for the eggs that the men had hidden.

Easter commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection, three days after he was crucified in 30 A.D. by the Romans.

The idea of cascarones and smashing them over your head spread through 19th century Mexico and the American Southwest later on. Cascarones are empty egg shells filled with confetti. During parties, the eggs were hidden and smashed over party goer’s heads. If you had an egg broken over your head it meant good luck.