{"id":433218,"date":"2022-04-17T23:42:06","date_gmt":"2022-04-17T20:42:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/"},"modified":"2022-04-17T23:42:06","modified_gmt":"2022-04-17T20:42:06","slug":"how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/","title":{"rendered":"#How ancient pagan rituals helped inspire modern Easter traditions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_84 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a26dccfed464\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a26dccfed464\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-1'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/#%E2%80%9CHow_ancient_pagan_rituals_helped_inspire_modern_Easter_traditions%E2%80%9D\" >&#8220;How ancient pagan rituals helped inspire modern Easter traditions&#8221;<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-2' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/#A_fusion_of_traditions\" >A fusion of traditions<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/#Whats_in_a_name\" >What\u2019s in a name<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/#The_Easter_Bunny\" >The Easter Bunny<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/#Decorating_eggs\" >Decorating eggs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/#Hunting_for_eggs\" >Hunting for eggs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/#A_time_for_celebration\" >A time for celebration<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h1><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"%E2%80%9CHow_ancient_pagan_rituals_helped_inspire_modern_Easter_traditions%E2%80%9D\"><\/span>&#8220;How ancient pagan rituals helped inspire modern Easter traditions&#8221;<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h1>\n<div>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module alignleft\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Easter brings together an unlikely cadre of traditions: church, bunnies and eggs.<\/p>\n<p>But what may seem like an odd trio is actually tied together by the universal <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">theme<\/a>s of spring and life renewed.<\/p>\n<p>While Easter is a time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, a few aspects of the holiday were adopted from ancient pagan rituals that celebrated the resurrection of life in the spring.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_fusion_of_traditions\"><\/span>A fusion of traditions<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cFor Christians, Easter has always been about celebrating the central miracle of Jesus\u2019s death and resurrection. So, it\u2019s been an important date in the Christian calendar, really going back to the very earliest days of Christianity,\u201d said Andrew Hann, the head of the Historians\u2019 Team at English Heritage, the heritage organization covering England within the UK.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBut of course, what we now know is that Easter has a lot of pagan origins \u2014 so, it comes from a lot of traditions that are much earlier than Christianity itself.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Much of that comes from Easter\u2019s theme of resurrection. But rather than see resurrection through a Christian lens, believers of pagan religions focused on the natural world and celebrated when the world \u201cresurrected\u201d in the spring.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis has been celebrated by people for thousands of years, a long time before Christianity,\u201d Hann said. \u201cThe pre-Christian world is full of lots of stories about resurrection and springtime.\u201d \u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-517777536.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"BOULDER, CO - MARCH 27:  Parishioner Adam Salzmann, second from left, gets a pat on the back for his help from Reverend Mark Twietmeyer, left, as he carry's the church's large cross on his back, with help from  with help from church usher Bill Rhode, second from right,  to take it off the beach after the 21st annual Easter sunrise celebration service on the shores of Boulder Reservoir on March 27, 2016 in Boulder, Colorado.  About 100 people turned out in sub-freezing temperatures to watch the sunrise and enjoy the service led by Reverend Mark Twietmeyer of Trinity Lutheran Church and Reverend Martin Lettow of Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church. The cross was made from the wood of the church's Christmas tree from last year. \" class=\"wp-image-21935455\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-517777536.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-517777536.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-517777536.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-517777536.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>A parishioner and church usher carry a cross from the beach after the 21st annual Easter sunrise celebration service.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\"> Helen H. Richardson\/Denver Post via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>For example, 2,000 years before Christ, the Sumerians had a tradition around the goddess Inanna. She descended into the underworld during winter and, once winter ended, she was brought back to life.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRebirth is very central to traditions going right back to the very early days of civilization,\u201d Hann said. \u201cThe story is going through all these different religions that have this idea of rebirth in the spring and which is very, very closely linked to the Christian tradition.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Here are a few examples of how Christian and pagan elements came together to form the Easter holiday we know today.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"812\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1372789024.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"(04\/03\/10-Boston,MA) 12th Baptist Church parishioners prepare flowers for the church for Easter Sunday. Here, from Left, Clementine Ross, Katrina Dawson, Willow Jones Murray and Dorothy Bell. Staff photo by Mark Garfinkel. \" class=\"wp-image-21935458\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1372789024.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1372789024.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1372789024.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>The resurrection of life in the spring is a common theme among Christian and pagan beliefs. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\"><a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Media<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News<\/a> Group via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Whats_in_a_name\"><\/span>What\u2019s in a name<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The name Easter may have pagan origins.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough quite a few people think of it being linked to the Hebrew word Pesach or Passover, there\u2019s also a tradition in northern Europe that it\u2019s linked to the pagan springtime goddess Eostre,\u201d Hann said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cShe is basically celebrated during the spring, at the spring equinox.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1157357987.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"Homemade Easter traditional hot cross buns in wooden tray tray with baking paper over white marble background. \" class=\"wp-image-21935463\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1157357987.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1157357987.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1157357987.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1157357987.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Traditional Easter hot cross buns may have ties to the goddess Eostre.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">REDA&amp;CO\/Universal Images Group v<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>First documented in the 8th century, Eostre was celebrated during the spring equinox and is associated with some familiar Easter traditions that have lasted to this day.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cEven the humble hot cross bun,\u201d Hann said. \u201cYou would think that obviously has this Christian association because of its association with the cross of simply symbolizing a crucifixion of Christ; but also that the pagan god Eostre had buns that were marked with a cross to celebrate the four seasons on the four primary phases of the Moon.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The moon\u2019s significance in pagan religions is evident in the way the Easter date is decided.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240036851.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"DUBAI, UAE- APRIL 16: Full moon illuminates the night in Dubai, United Arab Emirates on April 16, 2022.\" class=\"wp-image-21935467\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240036851.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240036851.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240036851.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240036851.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox, which is the first day of spring.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Waleed Zain\/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>According to Hann, Easter doesn\u2019t fall on the same day every year, and that is because its date is decided by the phases of the moon. The Easter date falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon of the spring equinox, which is the first day of spring.<\/p>\n<p>Eostre\u2019s association with spring went beyond that of lunar cycles and cross buns \u2014 she was also associated with the beloved mascot of Easter.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Easter_Bunny\"><\/span>The Easter Bunny<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>The tradition of an Easter bunny is centuries-old.<\/p>\n<p>According to Hann, rabbits and hares are associated with ancient symbols of fertility, particularly the idea of fertility in the spring and the spring equinox. This time of year when life returns is then linked to the Resurrection.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"802\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-146324447.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"ITALY - FEBRUARY 01:  Paris, Mus\u00e9e Du Louvre The Madonna of the Rabbit, 1530, by Titian (ca 1490-1576), oil on canvas, 71x85 cm. \" class=\"wp-image-21935479\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-146324447.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-146324447.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1535 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-146324447.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-146324447.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>The Virgin Mary is depicted with her left hand on a rabbit in the painting \u201cThe Madonna of the Rabbit\u201d ca. 1530.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">De Agostini via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The earliest known reference to the Easter hare is from a 1682 book by German Georg Franck von Frankenau, who links hares and rabbits with Christianity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHe talks about an earlier tradition in central Europe that this is coming from [the hare\u2019s] association with fertility and the Virgin Mary,\u201d Hann said. \u201cSometimes you see the paintings of the Virgin Mary and you see a hare at one side of her.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Then, the Easter hare became associated with another symbol of fertility: eggs.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"634\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-123391653.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"An easter bunny meets a hen with colored eggs in this fantasy postcard printed early 20th century in Germany. \" class=\"wp-image-21935533\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-123391653.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-123391653.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-123391653.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-123391653.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>An easter bunny meets a hen with colored eggs in this fantasy postcard printed early 20th century in Germany. <\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Transcendental Graphics\/Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s quite a strong tradition, certainly in the 17th-century, of the Easter hare known as the \u2018Osterhase\u2019 [pronounced AUS-ter-HAUS],\u201d said Hann. \u201cThey delivered eggs to children who are being good.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The hare brings the eggs along and hides them to start a new life with the Resurrection, Hann added.<\/p>\n<p>This tradition of the Easter hare then began to spread outside of Germany. During the 18th and 19th centuries, German immigrants imported the idea of an Easter hare giving eggs to children to the United States.<\/p>\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526077624.jpg?w=641\" alt=\"Illustration for 1920s Easter postcard featuring Easter Bunny painting Easter egg.\" class=\"wp-image-21935541\" width=\"336\" height=\"532\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526077624.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=666 672w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526077624.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=500 504w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526077624.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=333 336w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526077624.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=167 168w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-526077624.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 336px) 100vw, 336px\"\/><figcaption>In this Easter postcard, an Easter bunny paints an Easter egg as a baby chick watches below.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Jim Heimann Collection<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<p>The Easter hare experienced a bit of a makeover in America, where the hare was replaced by a cuddlier alternative, according to Hann.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cYou, therefore, get it morphing into the idea of the Easter Bunny,\u201d he said. \u201cThe Easter Bunny is then imported back from America into Europe in the 20th century, so it\u2019s come full circle.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Decorating_eggs\"><\/span>Decorating eggs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>In addition to being hidden by the Easter Bunny, eggs have played a starring role in Easter due to their association with fertility and new life.<\/p>\n<p>According to Hann, eggs have been associated with Easter from the very early days of Christianity.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cChristians, going right back to the Middle East in Mesopotamia, used to dye eggs around the period of Easter, which were then given as gifts,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis practice was then adopted by some of the Orthodox churches in Eastern Europe \u2014 in Russia, in the Middle East \u2014 and then that passed through to Western churches as well.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Different parts of the world had their own take on Easter egg decorating.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>According to Hann, one tradition in England involved making pace eggs. Coming from the Latin word \u201cpascha\u201d which means \u201cEaster\u201d, pace eggs are hard-boiled eggs that were boiled in water containing onion skins or gorse flowers.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis produced delicate yellow and brown patterns all over the egg, so you get these sort of beautifully decorated eggs,\u201d he said. \u201cThen, you could paint them as well and decorate them in that way.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240046885.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"17 April 2022, Thuringia, Erfurt: A child takes chocolate from a basket of Easter eggs distributed by a person in an Easter bunny costume in Ega Park. On Easter Sunday, all children up to 16 years old are allowed to enter the park.\" class=\"wp-image-21935550\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240046885.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240046885.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240046885.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-1240046885.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Painting eggs is an Easter tradition that goes back to the very early days of Christianity.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Michael Reichel\/picture alliance via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Hunting_for_eggs\"><\/span>Hunting for eggs<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Hunting for eggs also has Christian roots. According to Hann, the first known egg hunt was hosted by Protestant reformer Martin Luther. Luther organized egg hunts for his congregation, in which men were sent to hide eggs and then women and children were sent to find them.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis was supposed to be a nod to the story of the resurrection because, obviously, the empty tomb was discovered by women,\u201d Hann said. \u201c[Luther] was trying to draw attention to the role of women, in particular, and children in trying to find what has happened to Jesus after the birth after he has risen from the dead.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Easter egg hunts then make their way outside of Luther\u2019s Germany, with some of those cultural ambassadors being part of Britain\u2019s royal family. According to Hann, Queen Victoria had German ancestry and is seen as popularizing Easter egg hunts in England.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"1024\" height=\"736\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-161211622.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"It was a mad scramble for candy as children began scooping up thousands of not-so-hidden treats during an Easter Egg hunt in Denver's Washington Park Saturday afternoon. The New Denver Church provided 15,000 candy-filled plastic eggs for the hunt Saturday afternoon, April 7, 2012. \" class=\"wp-image-21935557\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-161211622.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=2048 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-161211622.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=1536 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-161211622.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/GettyImages-161211622.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all&amp;w=512 512w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"\/><figcaption>Children rush to pick up Easter eggs provided by the New Denver church.<\/figcaption><figcaption><span class=\"credit\">Karl Gehring\/Denver Post via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cIt was thought that her mother, the German-born Duchess of Kent, was the first person that introduced Queen Victoria to egg hunts because she organized one when Queen Victoria was a child in 1833,\u201d Hann said.<\/p>\n<p>As time passed, what was originally a German tradition of hunting for Easter eggs became more widespread and practiced outside of Europe.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"A_time_for_celebration\"><\/span>A time for celebration<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>\u201cEaster has always been this period of this moment of celebration and renewal. And so it\u2019s always been a very joyous time for Christians and a time of quite a lot of merriment,\u201d Hann said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s just a period when it\u2019s been really positive, positive. You know, the beginning of spring, the beginning of new life and everything. It\u2019s just a nice time to be alive.\u201d\n                        <\/p><\/div>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more News articles, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/news\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">News category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/2022\/04\/17\/how-ancient-pagan-rituals-helped-inspire-modern-easter-traditions\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;How ancient pagan rituals helped inspire modern Easter traditions&#8221; Easter brings together an unlikely cadre of traditions: church, bunnies and eggs. But what may seem like an odd trio is actually tied together by the universal themes of spring and life renewed. While Easter is a time when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Christ, a&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":433219,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2022\/04\/easter-eggs-2.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[70897],"tags":[128119,94262,23984,94251,87801],"class_list":["post-433218","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-4-17-22","tag-easter","tag-easter-eggs","tag-spring","tag-traditions"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433218","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=433218"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433218\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/433219"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=433218"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=433218"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=433218"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}