Easter Colored Eggspage 1 / 2
Why do we color and decorate eggs for Easter? And, just how did those colorful eggs become associated with a Christian holiday?
Coloring Eggs: An Easter Tradition
PAAS egg coloring kits and brightly colored hard-boiled eggs are synonymous for Easter, but, why? Just how did this tradition evolve? Although Easter is a religious holiday, the Easter egg likely evolved from pagan traditions. The egg is an ancient a symbol of new life and was often associated with pagan festivals celebrating the arrival of spring. Over time, Christians adopted eggs as a symbol of the rebirth of Jesus. Christians refrained from eating eggs during Lent. Thus, eggs were painted and decorated in preparation for eating them during Easter celebrations. References to decorated Easter eggs can be found as early as the 14th century when Edward I of England ordered 450 eggs to be gold-leafed and given to members of the royal household as Easter gifts.
Easter Eggs