Easter is one of the holiest times for Christians and is marked worldwide by a myriad of traditions, including going to church and praying extensively. There are some less religious traditions that have become synonymous with Easter, ranging from public holidays to Easter egg hunts, and for many, these traditions take precedence over the original intentions behind the holy holiday. More than 180 million chocolate Easter eggs are bought every year, making it one of the most widespread Easter traditions.
It’s so widespread that you’ve probably already seen Easter eggs in stores, or you’ve likely seen some of your neighbors getting their Easter eggs delivered with their weekly grocery shop in good time for the April holiday. With most children averaging 8.8 eggs each, it’s hard to avoid the boxed treats, but do they really have anything to do with Easter itself?
The History of Easter
Most people already know the Easter story, but to figure out how chocolate eggs fit into the narrative, we have to go back to the start. Jesus Christ was nailed to the cross by the Romans and is largely believed to have died at 3pm that afternoon. This day is now called Good Friday. Following his death, his body was removed from the crucifix and wrapped in clean linens before being taken to a tomb. A large was placed in front of the entrance to the tomb. Two days later, on Sunday, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and was greeted by an angel who told her that Jesus had resurrected. This day is now called Easter Sunday.
Eggs and Easter
So, how do chocolate eggs fit into the story? Originally, early Christians adopted eggs as a symbol of Jesus in the tomb. The hard shell of an egg is said to represent the tomb, and the chick that emerges from the hard egg is said to symbolize Jesus rising from the tomb.
Eating Eggs at Easter
The six weeks leading up to Easter is known as Lent which is a time when Christians abstain from eating all animal products. Eggs hold a certain significance for Christians for the reasons mentioned above, and as such, people would collect eggs and hard boil them ready to eat at Easter when Lent concluded. At this time, many children would decorate the eggs for fun. Seeing eggs as a sign of new life is something that was believed long before the religion of Christianity came to fruition, and decorating eggs was also something that was done by children prior to the introduction of Christianity as a symbol of spring.
After Lent drew to an end, early Christians would eat the decorated eggs to celebrate the end of the fast.
Chocolate Eggs
Chocolate eggs are somewhat of a modern take on Easter eggs. The French and Germans introduced the concept of a sweet eggs for Easter in the 19th century, and rather unsurprisingly, they became an instant hit.
The first chocolate easter eggs came just a few years after chocolate was introduced to Europe, meaning they were likely very bitter – even more so when you learn that the chocolate was dark which made it already naturally bitter. They were originally solid because chocolate was still a new concept and it was exceptionally difficult to mould it.
As chocolate progressed, so did its ability to be moulded, but it didn’t become mainstream until 1875 when Cadbury released their first line of eggs.
The Easter Bunny
Many children believe the Easter Bunny brings chocolate eggs, but rabbits don’t lay eggs which begs the questions, why does the Easter Bunny exist? Well, in the same way eggs symbolize new life, rabbits symbolize fertility and new life, so they go hand in hand with eggs, naturally!
Why are Eggs Given?
Now we understand the history behind eggs, chocolate eggs and their delivery via the Easter Bunny, it’s a good time to answer the original question of why we give Easter eggs. Eggs are a sign of fertility and new life which is a sentiment many people like to wish other people, especially at spring and as a celebration of the new life of Jesus Christ.
Nowadays, Easter eggs are mainly given as a societal custom rather than a religious one, with many families undertaking Easter egg hunts and making spring time decorations for fun rather than for religious reasons, but for Christians, they still hold a special significance.
Types of Easter Eggs
Easter eggs might have started off as dark chocolate, but they are now mostly milk chocolate. Some are cheap whilst some are exceedingly grandiose and high end. Solid eggs are available, but it’s now common for the eggs to be filled with sweets and/or toys. You can get Easter eggs in almost any size, further cementing the lucrative business opportunity behind what has become a sweet phenomenon rather than the original religious meaning.
