Ever wondered why there are some many bunnies, lambs and eggs around during Easter?
It’s not just to bring delight to children, who find them hidden in the garden and around the house on Easter Sunday, but rather because baby bunnies and lambs are born in Spring, which is Easter in the northern hemisphere.
In Pagan times, eggs, rabbits and hares were signs of good luck and new life.
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The early Christians took over the meaning of new life because it helped them remember Jesus being raised from the dead and having new life.
The lamb is a symbol of Jesus in the Bible as He was called “the Lamb of God”.
This is because lambs were and are still used in the Jewish faith as a sacrifice for people’s sins and wrongdoings.
In many countries, lamb is eaten as the main Easter Day meal.
While the custom of giving eggs at Easter also celebrates new life.
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No one actually knows when eggs were first used as symbols at festival times, but they were always thought to be special, because although they do not seem alive, they have life within them, especially in springtime, when chicks hatch out.
Long ago people gave gifts of eggs carved from wood or precious stones.
The first sweet eggs that were eaten were made in the last 100 years, from sugar or marzipan.
Since then chocolate eggs have become popular and these are given on Easter Sunday, brought by the Easter Bunny.
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