It’s Easter Time…
Springtime has arrived, and with it came one of the most interesting season: Easter. Although this a joyful time to celebrate the rebirth of Jesus. Most people can’t wait to eat as much chocolate as possible during these days. Clearly, Easter isn’t always celebrated within the same dates. This is due to the fact that it’s celebrated always on the first Sunday after the first Full Moon. Or after the March equinox. Therefore the main date of this season is Easter Sunday.
There are many specific traditions around this time of the year in England. Such as Christians going to Church and sing religious songs called ‘hymns’. And other people share chocolate eggs – ‘Easter eggs’ – and give them to children.
Egg Hunts
One of our favourite traditions around this time of the year is when people give each other chocolate eggs and bunnies. Therefore, one of the most traditional games to play, especially with the children is the traditional Egg hunts. This game consists of a literal hunt where children try to find hidden eggs. Which had previously been painted and decorated by the children and later on taken by the bunny, who ends up to hide the eggs so the children can have fun and play this game.
In some parts of the United Kingdom, people organize egg rolls, a game where they roll hard-boiled eggs down slopes. In another variation of the game, people knock hard-boiled eggs against other peoples’ eggs. The winner is the person whose egg remains whole. After the game, the eggs are eaten.
Easter Eggs
Easter eggs are a very old tradition going to a time before Christianity. Once, eggs, after all, are a symbol of spring and new life. So, from a long time ago that people use them as the exclusive symbol of this festive season. The all-time favourite games consist of exchanging and eating festive eggs, this is a very popular custom not only in England but in many other countries too.
Although, the tradition of the egg seems to quickly shift, and been replaced by chocolate eggs. For instance, the main tradition remains intact for some of us, thus our easter eggs are still hard-boiled natural and organic eggs. Following up with a DIY experience where those eggs ended up being dyed in various colours and patterns. Traditionally bright colours represented spring and light. Sadly, this traditional-style ain’t lasting for long, once big chocolate companies hard working hard to replace the tradition to irresistible delicious chocolate Easter eggs.
Nowadays people give each other eggs made of chocolate, usually hollow and filled with sweets. Such as the ones you might spot on the TV from Cadbury.
The Easter Bunny
Easter is also a symbol of rebirth. So it was important to complete this fairy tale story with an animated animal that would also represent this essence. Therefore, and once rabbits have a very strong fecund nature, they became the ideal symbolic representation of fertility. The bunny (rabbit) however may actually be an Easter hare. The hare was allegedly a companion of the ancient Moon goddess and of Eostre.
Strangely the bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it’s origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 16th Century. The first edible Easter bunnies appeared in Germany during the early 1800s, they were made of pastry and sugar. This story was then spread through the planet, creating the fantastic fairy tale of bunnies (and egg hunts). Later on, in the UK, children believe that if they are good the “Easter Bunny ” will leave (chocolate) eggs for them.
Easter Sunday Roast and Daffodils
In the other hand, this is also a season for more accurate and real traditions, such as the very special Easter Sunday Lunch. In the UK, it is common to invite family and friends for a traditional lamb roast meal. Common decorations are painted eggs, bunnies, and spring flowers, such as daffodils. The colours yellow or gold are usually associated with this season, as these are the colours the Church of England uses for the Easter Sunday celebrations.
Hot cross buns are also a traditional festive food in the UK, mainly during the Friday before – Good Friday. These sweet bread treats are often filled with raisins or sultanas and have a cross carved into the top before they are baked. If you haven’t tried them yet, be sure to try a hot cross bun during the Easter period!
