| Author | |
ShawnaB
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 05 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 377
|
| Posted: April 09 2007 at 9:56pm | IP Logged
|
 |
|
...hello all...its good to be back after a Lenten break.
I was hoping that someone here might be able to educate me a bit about the symbolism in Easter eggs, what the Catholic Church has to say about them (if anything), and what part they play in your Easter celebration. This past Easter season, it was brought to my attention that some Christians do not make any reference whatsoever to eggs or rabbits because they have some sort of pagan origin. At first I thought they were kidding (how ignorant am I??), but apparently not. I always associated eggs, chickies, bunnies, flowers, etc. with spring and new life...which seem to complement nicely the Lord's resurrection. Can someone inform me here??
Thanks!
__________________
Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
MaryM
Board Moderator
Joined: Feb 11 2005
Location: Colorado
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 13104
|
| Posted: April 09 2007 at 10:16pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
It's a great question, Shawna. There is a lot of history associated with eggs and early symbolism is pre-Christian, but it was beautifully transformed into a symbol of life in Christ at a later time.
This is from Fr. Francis Weiser's book
EASTER EGGS
In the ancient times eggs were a symbol of spring and fertility. An egg seems dead and yet contains new life; so does the earth at the end of winter. This is the reason why people in pre-Christian ages presented each other with eggs at the beginning of spring (which in those days also was the beginning of a new year).
In medieval times the eating of eggs was prohibited during Lent. So the faithful transferred the custom of giving eggs to Easter Sunday. Instead of representing fertility, the Easter egg now became a symbol of the rock tomb out of which our Lord gloriously emerged to the new life of His Resurrection.
This is a beautiful symbolism that will forever associate the Easter egg with Christ's Resurrection in the minds of children, provided it has been clearly explained to them. They will then also readily understand why the Church has given us in her Ritual a special blessing of eggs at Easter time. Here are the words of this blessing:
"We beseech thee, O Lord, to bestow thy benign blessing upon these eggs, to make them a wholesome food for thy faithful, who gratefully partake of them in honor of the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ."
In accordance with this religious aspect of Easter eggs and of their Christian symbolism, it might be suggested that children receive their first Easter eggs within a little ceremony at breakfast on Easter Sunday. The cheerful colors and designs of the eggs remind them of the joy they should have on the day of Christ's Resurrection. If the Easter eggs have not been taken to Church for the official blessing, father or mother could sprinkle them with Easter water or holy water before the meal begins.
This is in contrast to the Easter bunny which does not have a Christian symbolism for the Easter season.
__________________
Mary M. in Denver
Our Domestic Church
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
aussieannie
Forum All-Star
Joined: May 21 2006
Location: Australia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 7251
|
| Posted: April 09 2007 at 10:34pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Shawna, I was just doing a picture book search on amazon and this popped up unexpectedly:
The Legend of the Easter Egg
It is a picture book for children, it has a write-up on this book on the link.
__________________
Under Her Starry Mantle
Spiritual Motherhood for Priests
Blessed with 3 boys & 3 girls!
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: April 10 2007 at 9:02am | IP Logged
|
|
|
The Egg is my favorite resurrection symbol. Visually it's just a perfect tool to show how a new life emerges from the little white shell tomb.
MaryM wrote:
| This is in contrast to the Easter bunny which does not have a Christian symbolism for the Easter season. |
|
|
The rabbit, since it's prolific, is a symbol of new life. I did find (and posted at the Easter Vigil Notebooks but I'm reposting here b/c the thread is so long) the best explanation/incorporation of the symbol of the Easter bunny or rabbit by Women for Faith and Family. BTW, if you haven't checked out their site for Liturgical Year information, you're missing out!
Women for Faith and Family, Holy Saturday.
About Easter Bunnies:
"The Christian symbolism of Easter bunnies might seem pretty obscure, and it's easy to suppose that the rabbits are simply a pagan symbol of fecundity taken over by Christianity. Even if so, bear in mind that the ancestors of pre-Christian (even pre-historic) pagans at some time knew about the true God Adam and Eve and Noah, for example. Pagan beliefs about God's action in the world and about man's true destiny were far from the truth, of course, but many things can be understood through basic human intelligence and that intelligence comes from God. The coming of spring is a cause for rejoicing for everybody, whether Christians or non-Christians. The Easter bunny is actually a pretty good symbol of God's plan for his creatures (including humans) to "be fruitful and multiply," and of the renewed exhuberance of all creatures in cooperating with God in creating new life. (The Easter bunny might seem to be more a metaphor for God's plan for His creation in Genesis than in the Gospels.) Maybe we should think of the fecundity of rabbits as a symbol of evangelizing, and the many new believers God desires. We could think of the eggs the Easter Rabbit carrys in a basket as representing Christians carrying the message of Christ into the world.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to  & ds1  '03 & ds2  '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
JennGM
Forum Moderator
Joined: Feb 07 2005
Location: Virginia
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 17702
|
| Posted: April 10 2007 at 9:10am | IP Logged
|
|
|
aussieannie wrote:
Shawna, I was just doing a picture book search on amazon and this popped up unexpectedly:
The Legend of the Easter Egg
It is a picture book for children, it has a write-up on this book on the link. |
|
|
We have enjoyed that book. Another one that explains symbolism is Lilies, Rabbits, and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols by Edna Barth. I enjoy all her books.
And, just because something was originally pagan doesn't mean we can't incorporate them into our Faith. As Catholics we have "baptized" some traditions and now they are part of our Faith.
__________________
Jennifer G. Miller
Wife to & ds1 '03 & ds2 '07
Family in Feast and Feria
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
ShawnaB
Forum Pro
Joined: Nov 05 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 377
|
| Posted: April 10 2007 at 9:10pm | IP Logged
|
|
|
Thank you all so much! This was very helpful, and I'm planning to buy both of the suggested books. I think that traditions and symbols do change over time.
I certainly don't want my sweet dc thinking of something ugly and evil every time they see an Easter egg. Even better, I'd love them to not only appreciate them for the beauty and fun that they bring, but also for the remembrance of the spiritual truth than can be seen if we open our eyes to see it. Obviously, eggs will remain a visible symbol of Easter, so I think it best to teach our children to think of Christ when they see them! Thanks for the words of wisdom.
__________________
Shawna, wife of Jacob, mom to Abraham 8 Amelia 5 and Jillian & Jonathan age 3 years http://www.psalm121family.com
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
Karen E.
Forum All-Star
Joined: Feb 27 2005
Location: N/A
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 1161
|
| Posted: April 11 2007 at 7:48am | IP Logged
|
|
|
The spring issue of Faith and Family magazine had a gorgeously illustrated version of the story that puts an "Easter Bunny" at the Cross. Radix did a coloring book several years ago (out of print now, unfortunately) with the same theme.
__________________
God bless,
Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
|
| Back to Top |
|
| |
|
|
4Real Forums : Domestic Church
Topic: Need education about Easter Eggs...
