It is well known that many popular Christian holiday's have been grafted on to or adopted the characteristics of popular pagan traditions. This is a natural consequence of the evolution of social and cultural worldviews. Still, as eggs and rabbits start popping up in stores and on the television, it is always valuable and insightful to look back and remember where those familiar traditions and symbols come from.
Eostre, Goddess of the Dawn
The word 'Easter' is borrowed from an Anglo-Saxxon goddess, Eastre or Eostre. The name has roots and branches in many languages, but most strong relates to the words for 'east' and 'dawn'. The month corresponding to April had long been called 'Eostremonat' in relation to this goddess of light and rebirth. Traditions similar to those surrounding Eostre have mythologically relations to other Indo-European figures such as the Greek Eos, Roman Aurora and Assyrian Ishtar. It is likely that early Christians adopted and developed their traditions from the celebrations surrounding the month of April and the worship of Eostre and other contemporary deities.
Eggs, Bunnies and other Symbols of Rebirth
The most basic pre-modern traditions surrounding the onset of spring have to do with death and rebirth. Spring represented in very real, visceral terms the time when the 'death' of winter was replaced by the 'rebirth' of spring. This transition allowed for new crops to be planted and more time to be spent out of doors as the temperature warmed and the climate improved. The egg was one such symbol of this rebirth, and the use of these objects in spring festivities was popular among the Romans, Egyptians and Persians.
Likewise, the rabbit was a popular symbol of spring – the animal's famous fertility made it important for spring festivities. People would often bake cakes in the form of a hare, or rabbit for spring celebrations – perhaps providing a precedent for our chocolate bunnies.
Easter Tradition
Easter is always a fun and exciting time of the year, especially for the Christian faith, as it's followers celebrate the death and rebirth of Jesus Christ. It is important, however, to not get become jaded and blind to the ancient symbols and traditions surrounding the time of Easter. Though secular stores may bring out easter egg and bunny decorations simply to draw customers, it helps to deal with the customary irritation with rampant, ignorant consumerism if one tries to remember that these stores are carrying on a springtime tradition almost as old as civilization itself.
