Easter Symbols

Being one of the holiest Christian festivals, Easter is associated with a host of traditional symbols and icons. Most of the Easter symbols pre-date Christianity and are remnants of ancient Pagan symbolism. Each of them is related to the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ. Since Easter festival heralds the advent of spring, the symbols connected to it stand for fertility, purity and peace. For instance, Easter symbols such as the bunny and eggs represent the fertile state of mother earth. White lily flowers, which are used to decorate the altar of churches on Easter, represent peace and sanctity.

Easter eggs have been used as gift items, since they are also a symbol of the festival. Other symbols of Easter such as Easter cross and Easter lamb are purely religious, since they symbolize the Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter lamb, one of the traditional recipes of the festival, is also regarded as a symbol. The very delicious meat is served as a lip smacking delicacy, at Easter lunch or dinner. Another peculiar symbol of the festival is Easter hot cross bun, which derives its name from its Cross icing. Go through our related section to know all about the popular symbols of Easter.

Easter Bunny
Since Easter coincides with the advent of spring season, the celebrations are very colorful. Easter Bunny and the beautifully eggs brought by the legendary character add to the color and vibrancy of the festival. On the night before Easter, children eagerly wait for the furry bunny to bring colored eggs and gift baskets filled with toys and chocolates, for them. Easter Bunny of Easter is similar to Santa Claus of Christmas, because both bring gifts to children, on the Eve of the respective festivals.

Easter Candles
Easter candles are lit in churches, to celebrate the Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ, three days after crucifixion. Christians associate Jesus with the light from candles, hailing him as "the eternal light", showing Christians the way from death to life. The candlelight ushers in a world of hope and prosperity, by driving away the gloom of darkness.

Easter Cross
The Cross, the all-pervading icon of Christianity, is an integral element of all Christian festivals, including Easter. It is the symbol of life over death. The crucifix is a cross with an image of Jesus' body hanging from it. It symbolizes the sacrifice, which Jesus did for humanity. An empty cross, without the figure of Christ crucified on it, reminds Christians of Jesus' victory over death and the new life and hope the victory brings to humanity.

Easter Eggs
Easter eggs have been acknowledged as a symbol of continuing life and fertility, since pre-Christian spring celebrations. Given as springtime gifts by the ancient Greeks, Persians and Chinese at their spring festivals, the Easter egg appears in Pagan mythology as well, where the Heaven and Earth were thought to have been formed from two halves of an egg.

Easter Lamb
The festival of Easter is celebrated with great fanfare by Christian people across the world. The day, which commemorates the Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ three days after crucifixion, is observed with religious fervor. On the occasion, special services are conducted in churches, where the altar is decorated beautifully with the traditional Easter flowers, such as white lily.

Easter Lily
Among the multitude of spring flowers, the Easter white lily is the traditional Easter flower. The beautiful flower is considered the symbol of the Resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ, three days after his crucifixion. The large, pure white blooms of the Easter Lilies are symptomatic of the pure new life that comes through the Resurrection of Jesus.

Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns stand out from other Easter delicacies, for their typical flavor. A prominent Easter icon, hot cross bun is called so, because of the icing cross on the top of the bun, which reminds people of the Crucifixion of Jesus. Hot cross buns were first baked in England, to be served as the traditional Good Friday breakfast. Nowadays, they are served throughout the Easter season.