Behind Our
BY SABRINA L.
Traditions
12
Easter is a day that Christians rejoice on. Easter is the day that Jesus arose from the grave, forever conquering death. However, besides the usual attending of church, Christians and non-Christians in the United States both share odd traditions. The Easter Bunny and dyeing eggs.
According to the German Information Center, the Easter Bunny is an old legend from Germany. According to the myth, the goddess Eostre stumbled upon a small bird whose wings had been frozen near the start of spring. To save the bird Eostre changed the bird into a bunny. Because the bunny was once a bird it could still lay eggs. German children used to build the Easter Bunny nests for him to lay his decorated eggs in.
Decorating eggs itself is also a very old tradition. Its roots are thought to be in pagan ceremonies. However, History. com claims that the tradition was to decorate the eggs because eggs, among other foods, were not allowed to be eaten during Lent. To celebrate that the days of fasting were over, people may have painted eggs. While the exact origins of the tradition are unknown, it is still one of the most popular things to do on Easter.
Intrepid Travel lists the many interesting traditions to take part in around the world. In Costa Rica, for example, the Catholic church has processions on Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter Sunday. In addition, they reenact the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. On the Monday after Easter beware if you are in Poland! Their tradition is to dump water on whoever they can. This tradition is thought to be from young boys dumping water on girls. The tradition has broadened from children to everyone and whoever you want to dump the water on. In Sweden the Christian side of the holiday is no where to be found. Instead children dress like witches and go door to door trading their art for treats.
Easter is celebrated far and wide in different ways and for different reasons. I hope this year you take some time to remember the great rescue performed by Jesus Christ when He died on the cross for you and arose from the dead so that one day you can be in the presence of God.