Picture taken from https://angelika-antl.com/
Frankly, my understanding of Easter has only developed in recent years. It all started when my children began attending kindergarten. Every April, they would engage in activities such as drawing Easter eggs, hunting for them, and enjoying chocolate rabbits. During the past couple of years, I didn’t ponder much about the connection between rabbits and eggs. Nevertheless, regardless of the association, we embraced the traditions wholeheartedly! This year, I finally took the time to contemplate the matter carefully. And the conclusion I reached is that there is no direct relationship between the two!
“Easter,” as the name suggests, is indeed related to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Devout believers commemorate the resurrection of Jesus after his crucifixion during this holiday. Lara believes that regardless of one’s religious beliefs, it is important for people to be aware of significant biblical stories. After all, these stories are integral to Western literature and have influenced various aspects of culture, including books, movies, festivals, and even historical events or conflicts. Christian culture is closely intertwined with many aspects of our society.
Lara has found an animation with Lego that tells the story of the crucifixion of Jesus. It features English pronunciation and Chinese subtitles.
Knowing that Easter is a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, what does that have to do with 🥚?
The tradition of colouring with wax is said to have come from Ukraine
This needs to be cut from several angles. First of all, there is a Lent period (fasting) in the first 40 days of Easter. During these 40 days, we basically only eat one meal a day and don’t eat meat/wine/egg/dairy products, which is the concept of “vegetarian eating on the 15th day of the first day” in Taiwan, but they are concentrated in one period. I haven’t eaten eggs for more than a month, so I must have accumulated a lot of inventory, so when the meat is opened on Easter, a lot of “sold inventory” ~ This is a more realistic explanation. In addition, there is 🥚 the symbol of endless life, which symbolizes that life breaks out of the shell, just like the rebirth of Jesus after the crucifixion ~ but at the beginning, it was only dyed red, and on Sunday, I went to the church to be blessed by the Pope. It was not until the later 1,2 hundred years that the custom of painting eggs did not occur. Even in the past few decades, it is of course the world of businessmen ~ all kinds of chocolate eggs appeared, becoming the favorite of businessmen’s children!
Russian Easter Street Installation Art
So…. where did the rabbit come from? Rabbits don’t lay eggs…
Easter Bunny Chocolates – 220 million were produced in Germany alone in 2019!
This is Lara’s favorite part. In fact, the combination of rabbits and eggs is truly fascinating. It is rooted in ancient nature worship that predates Christianity. Easter falls just after the spring equinox (3/21) in the lunar calendar, and the ancients held great reverence for the natural solar events. As the cold winter comes to an end, welcoming the arrival of spring becomes a momentous occasion. The rabbit, known for its remarkable fertility, serves as the perfect representation of this season of renewal. It symbolizes endless growth and can be considered the ancient peoples’ mascot, welcoming the god of spring. This fusion of different generations and beliefs is why Lara finds it particularly captivating. It mirrors the cultural integration seen in Taiwan’s temples, where Buddhist Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva and Taoist Guan Gong are both revered. Such integration arises from the genuine needs and cultural amalgamation of the people
( Hollywood 惡搞Bunny )
What else is Easter apart from eggs and rabbits?
Lamb, a word with dual meanings, holds significance in the context of Easter. From a practical standpoint, after a period of fasting or “vegetarianism,” the human body requires protein, and lamb serves as a rich source of this nutrient. While this may not sound particularly romantic, there is also a symbolic representation attached to lamb. It is considered a symbol of Jesus, who willingly suffered on behalf of humanity. Furthermore, in the biblical story, Moses used the blood of a lamb on the doorposts to protect the Israelites from disaster and lead them out of Egypt. Many Easter traditions carry symbolic meanings, and preserving this representation adds an intriguing layer to the celebration.
Gebakenes Osterlamm
Human cultural activities are all handed down from ancient times. From a modern perspective, certain aspects may seem illogical, such as the association between eggs and rabbits. However, upon closer examination, their significance becomes clear. Lara values observation and curiosity when it comes to understanding things. While we can simply follow traditions, delving deeper into their origins and seeking understanding allows us to preserve their essence. By knowing the reasons behind these traditions, we can appreciate and maintain their true meaning.
