Origin Of Easter Foods And Symbols

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30093, 29 March 1963, Page 2

Origin Of Easter Foods And Symbols

The origin of the Easter egg is based on the fertility lore of the Indo-European races. To our pre-Christian ancestors it was a startling event to to see a new and live creature emerge from a seemingly dead object. The egg to them became a symbol of spring. Long ago, in Persia, people used to present each other with eggs at die spring equinox, which for them also marked the beginning of a new year.

In Christian times the egg had bestowed upon it a religious interpretation, becoming a symbol of the rock tomb out of which Christ emerged to the new life of His Resurrection. There was in addition a very practical reason for making the egg a special sign of Easter joy since it used to be one of the foods that was forbidden in Lent.

The faithful from early times painted Easter eggs in gay colours, had them blessed, ate them, and gave them to friends as Easter " The custom of using Easter eggs developed among the nations of northern Europe and Christian Asia soon after their conversion to Christianity In countries of southern Europe, and consequently in South America, however, the tradition of Easter eggs never became popular. In medieval times eggs were traditionally given at Easter to all servants. It is reported that King Edward I of England (1307) had 450 eggs boiled before Easter, dyed or covered with gold the members of the Royal Household on Easter Day. “Pace-Egging” The eggs were usually given to children as Easter presents along with other gifts. This practice was so firmly rooted in Germany that the eggs were called “dingeder” (eggs that are “owed”). The children were not slow in demanding what was '‘owed” to them, and thus developed the many rhymes in France, Germany Austria, and England, wherein youngsters even today request Easter eggs for presents. In England this custom is called ‘‘paceegging.” In some parts of Ireland children collect goose and duck eggs during Holy Week, offering them as presents on Easter Day. Two weeks before, on Palm Sunday, they made title nests of stones, and during Holy Week collect as many eggs as possible, staring them away in these hidden nests. On Easter Day, they eat them ail, sharing with those who are too small to have their own collection. The adults, too, give eggs

as presents in Ireland. The number of eggs to be given away is regulated by this ancient saying among Irish country folk: “One egg for the true gentleman: two eggs for the gentleman; three eggs for the churl (have-not); four eggs for the lowest churl (tramp).” In Germany and other countries of central Europe eggs for cooking Easter foods are not broken but pierced with a needle on both ends, and the contents to be used are blown into a bowl. The empty eggshells are given to the children for various Easter games. In parts of Germany such hollow eggs are suspended from shrubs and trees during Easter Week much like a Christmas tree.

‘Die Armenians decorate empty eggs with religious designs, to give to children as Easter presents. Easter is the season for games with eggs all over Europe. The sport of eggpecking is practised in many forms, in Syria, Iraq, and Iran. In Norway it is called knekke (knock). In Germany, Austria, and France, hard-boiled eggs are rolled against each other on the Lawn or down a bill; the egg that remains uncracked to the end is called the “victory egg.” This game has attained national fame in America because of the annual egg-roUang party on the lawn of the White House in Washington. French Fable In France, children are told that the Easter eggs are dropped by the church bells. In Germany and Austria little nests containing eggs, pastry, and candy are placed in hidden spots, and the children believe that the Easter bunny has laid the eggs and brought the candy. In Russia and among the

Ukrainians and Poles, people start their joyful Easter meals after the long Lenten fast with a blessed egg on Easter Day. Before sitting down to breakfast, the father solemnly distributes small pieces cut from an Easter egg to members of the family and guests, wishing them one and all a holy and happy feast. Not until they have eaten this morsel in silence, do they sit down to the first meal of the Easter season.