Why Easter is associated with eggs

Easter eggs have become a beloved symbol of the holiday. [Pinterest]

Easter remains one of the most important and widely celebrated holidays in the Christian calendar.

According to the New Testament, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which occurred three days after his crucifixion.

Although not synonymous with the festivities in Kenya, Easter in other parts of the world is celebrated with a variety of customs and traditions that include decorating eggs, Easter egg hunts, festive meals, and the arrival of the Easter Bunny.

At its heart, Easter is a celebration of life, hope, and new beginnings-values that resonate with people of many backgrounds and beliefs.

Whether they're made of chocolate or painted by children, Easter eggs have become a beloved symbol of the holiday. But why eggs? And how did they come to be so closely tied to Easter?

Ancient symbol of new life

The association between eggs and Easter dates back long before chocolate bunnies and plastic grass-filled baskets.

In many ancient cultures, eggs were seen as symbols of fertility and new life.

They represented the rebirth of the Earth after the cold, barren months of winter.

As such, eggs naturally became linked with springtime festivals celebrating renewal and growth.

Christian Connections

As Christianity spread, the egg took on deeper religious meaning. For Christians, Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ-his triumph over death and the promise of eternal life.

The Standard engaged Apostle Noah Agutu of the Redeemed Gospel Church in Nairobi who broke down the egg symbolysm.

"The egg, with its hard shell and hidden life within, became a powerful metaphor for the tomb from which Christ emerged," he said.

In this sense, cracking an egg on Easter Sunday symbolized the resurrection and the opening of the tomb.

A break from fasting

Apostle Agutu adds that according to ancient history, eggs were forbidden during the Lenten season - 40 days of fasting and reflection leading up to Easter.

"Despite the eggs being forbidden during the Lenten season, chickens didn't stop laying eggs just because it was Lent. So, people would boil the excess eggs to preserve them, and when Easter finally arrived, they were eaten in celebration," Agutu explained.

Decorating those eggs became a festive tradition in its own right.

From painted shells to chocolate treats

The custom of dyeing and decorating eggs is thought to have originated in Eastern Europe, particularly in Ukraine, where intricately designed eggs known as pysanky have been created for centuries.

Over time, this practice spread and evolved into the more playful, colorful egg decorating familiar in many parts of the world today.

In the 19th century, with the rise of mass production and the popularity of sweets, chocolate makers in Europe began creating egg-shaped candies.

These treats quickly became a staple of Easter celebrations, especially among children.

Egg hunt tradition

The Easter egg hunt-a game in which eggs are hidden for children to find-also has roots in European folklore.

One popular story involves the "Easter Bunny," said to lay and hide eggs for children to discover.

Though rabbits don't lay eggs, the character likely stems from pagan springtime celebrations honoring fertility, in which hares and eggs were prominent symbols.

Fun fact

In 2023, the world's largest chocolate Easter egg was crafted in Italy. It stood over 34 feet tall and weighed more than 6,800 kilograms.