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. Another legend says that Pagan deity Eoster transformed a bird into a rabbit, to save it from a chilly winter season. Since the bird was not completely transformed into a rabbit, it continued to lay eggs. Subsequently, the rabbit laid colored eggs and presented them to the Goddess, every spring season.

Over the years, eggs have evolved as a prominent Easter icon, since they were perceived to be the symbol of Jesus' Resurrection. Since the rabbit presented the eggs to the Goddess, Easter Bunny is also regarded as another symbol of the festival. The legendary character is believed to bring baskets filled with Easter eggs, toys and sweet treats like chocolate, on the night before Easter. The bunny is thought to hide the eggs either in the backyard or within the home's premises, so the children have to find them on their own. Read on to know more about the popular Easter symbol - Easter eggs.

Easter Eggs
Even as early as the Middle Ages, colored eggs were to be given as gifts at Easter. Forbidden during the solemn fast of Lent, eggs were reintroduced on Easter Sunday, both as part of the feasting and as gifts for family, friends and servants. Besides their religious connotations, Easter eggs have given rise to many exotic traditions and practices. The coloring of eggs is an established art, and eggs are often dyed, painted and otherwise decorated.

Easter Egg Decoration
The most elaborate Easter egg traditions appear to have emerged in Eastern Europe. In Poland and Ukraine, eggs were often painted silver and gold. Pysanky eggs were created by carefully applying wax in patterns to an egg. The egg was then dyed, wax would be reapplied in spots to preserve that color and the egg was boiled again in other shades. The result was a multi-color striped or patterned egg. In many parts of the world, Easter eggs are painted beautiful in vibrant colors and decorated, to use them as gifts for near and dear.

Chocolate Easter Eggs
Dying or painting chicken eggs has been the oldest tradition related to Easter. Over the years, keeping in mind the difficulties to carry real eggs, people have started using chocolate eggs for the festival. Fancy chocolate eggs are made at households as well as sold in the market, during Easter. To make chocolate eggs, you need plastic egg molds that are available in the market. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Pour the molten chocolate into the egg mold and allow it to set. Now, separate the egg-halves and paint each of them with molten chocolate. Hold the two sides together and refrigerate it. Your chocolate egg is ready! You may decorate the eggs with frosting or any icing used for cakes.