Easter Food and Symbols

Easter has always been connected to religion, or at least it is where I’m from, but I see Spring itself as a season of new beginnings and starting over. Outside religion, this holiday has elements related to history and culture, so like Christmas, it is most widely celebrated. It always falls between March 22 and April 25, whenever the first Sunday of the first full moon after the vernal equinox falls, as the new moon is seen as a symbol of new life. Food is also a significant part of this holiday since families tend to gather for lunch.

Some traditional Easter desserts are Babka from Poland, often made in a loaf shape from yeast-risen cake filled with swirls of chocolate, cinnamon, or fruit. Next is Cheese Blintzes, coming from a Jewish tradition. These sweet crepes with cheese or fruit fillings are sometimes made for Easter in Jewish communities. Kardinalschnitten from Austria is a meringue-based dessert that is light, airy, and often layered with whipped cream and berries. Figolli from Malta is a cookie type of thing made from dough and filled with almond paste. Allow me to say that my sister does some of the best ones, in my opinion.

Next, I’m moving on to symbols and the meaning behind them. Of course, the symbol of the cross is a main character during Lent, but what about eggs, Easter bunny, lilies and butterflies? Here are some things related to history, religion, culture and tradition.

Eggs:

 Eggs are viewed as a sign of new life, resurrection, and the empty tomb of Jesus, rebirth and renewal. In the past, eggs were seen as a forbidden food to consume, so they were often boiled to serve them, then eaten on Easter Sunday. Earlier on, the tradition of decorating the eggs started,

Lilies:

Lilies are an Easter flower often associated with the Virgin Mary. They symbolise purity, hope, and resurrection.

The Easter Bunny:

They are viewed as an image of renewal and fertility (since they can reproduce quite a bit), and therefore, they are often the symbol of new life. The culture of the chocolate bunny is likely related to German Folklore, where it is said a rabbit would lay eggs for children to find, a piece of culture that moved with German immigrants.

Butterflies:

They are often compared to Jesus’s resurrection, like the caterpillar turning into a butterfly. The metaphor is that Jesus broke away from his tomb after three days.

Alex