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Easter History and Traditions

Melissa Klein
Celebrations Editor

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Though most today know Easter Sunday as a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is a holiday rich in both folklore and mutli-religious celebrations.

During ancient times, the Anglo-Saxons would celebrate the onset of the spring season with a festival in honor of "Eastra" the goddess of spring and renewal, who was idolized on Earth as a rabbit. Many of the symbols found in our modern Easter celebrations are adopted from these ancient pagan practices including the ideas of rebirth, fertility, the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.

Apart from its Pagan roots, Easter is also closely associated with the Jewish Passover celebration. The New Testament teaches us that Jesus gave new meaning to the Passover meal when he gathered his disciples at the Last Supper to prepare them and Himself for his death. He identified the loaf of bread and cup of wine as his body and blood soon to be sacrificed, giving way to the allegory of Jesus as the Paschal Lamb. Learn more about Passover's history.

To learn more about Easter traditions, history, practices and symbols read on below!

Tradition

Easter History

Since it was born of Jewish faith, many of Christianity's celebrations are closely tied to the history and traditions of it's parent faith. None perhaps more so than Easter. Here, a brief timeline and history of Easter as it evolved through the Millenia. Read More

Tradition

Easter Traditions: Easter Eggs

Every Easter we look forward to dying eggs with the colorful dye packets we find at the grocery store or our local craft store. Find out how Easter eggs became such a big part of this holiday and celebration! Read More

Tradition

Easter Traditions: Easter Parades

Parades are a cornerstone of every major holiday. We look forward to hearing marching bands and seeing elaborate costumes, but read up on how the Easter parade tradition came to be! Read More

Tradition

Easter Traditions: Easter Bunny and His Candy

The Easter bunny is the official mascot of Easter, but did you know the bunny's role in Easter celebrations actually derive from Pagan festivals? Learn why the Easter bunny became such an important symbol of Easter with this short and quick article! Read More

Tradition

Easter Traditions: White House Easter Egg Roll

The White House Easter Egg Roll has been an American tradition since the early part of the 1800s thanks to Former First Lady Dolly Madison. Get all the details on how this tradition got started and how the capitol celebrates the Easter holiday. Read More

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