The ancient origins and surprising history of Easter

Easter stands as one of the most significant observances in the Christian calendar. While many modern celebrations are synonymous with chocolate eggs, bunnies, and spring festivities, the holiday possesses a profound history—one rich with ancient traditions, deep-seated symbolism, and a fascinating array of cultural influences. (unsplash)

Easter Doesn’t Have a Fixed Date: Unlike many holidays, Easter changes every year. The date is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Because of this rule, Easter can fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25 in the Western Christian calendar. (wikimedia commons)

Hot Cross Buns Are an Easter Tradition: A popular Easter food in many countries is the Hot Cross Bun. The cross on top represents the crucifixion of Jesus, while the spices inside are said to symbolize the spices used in his burial. (unsplash)

The Easter Bunny Has German Origins: The famous Easter Bunny tradition likely came from German immigrants in the 1700s. Children believed a magical hare called Osterhase would lay colourful eggs for well-behaved kids. The custom later spread across Europe and North America. (wikimedia commons)

The Name “Easter” May Come From a Pagan Goddess: Some historians believe the word Easter may come from Eostre, a goddess linked to spring and fertility. Early Christian celebrations in Europe gradually blended with older spring festivals, which may explain many of the holiday’s symbols. (wikimedia commons)

The World’s Largest Easter Egg: The Easter egg in the Brazilian town of Pomerode is now the multicoloured attraction and is the world’s largest decorated Easter Egg, standing 15.02 m (49 ft 3 in) tall and 8.72 m (28 ft 7 in) in diameter after 48 days of construction and decorating. (guinnessworldrecords.com)

Eggs Symbolise New Life: Eggs have long been associated with rebirth and renewal. In Christianity, they symbolize the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the promise of new life. This is why decorating eggs and gifting them during Easter became a widespread tradition. (wikimedia commons)