"Easter tells us that life is to be interpreted not simply in terms of things but in terms of ideals" by Charles M. Crowe truly glorifies the beauty of Easter celebration. The Christian festival of Easter is celebrated commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The history of this celebrations has its roots in the Jewish Passover which commemorates Israel's deliverance from the bondage of Egypt.
Easter history is replete with a wide range of interesting facts and details since pre-historic times. It's believed that Anglo Saxons celebrated the return of spring with a hilarious festival commemorating their goddess of offspring 'Eastre'. Though there is no consensus on the exact etymology of the word 'Easter,' some arguments are convincing enough for a discerning eye which looks for the exact origins of this festival. One such argument tells us that the Druids held religious festivities in honor of the sun-god in April, calling it "Easter Monath".
More on History Of Easter Celebrations
History of this celebrations began prior to 325 A.D., when it was allowed to fall on any day of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. But Pagan history of Easter surrounds around Vernal Equinox.
According to Pagan beliefs, this time was observed as the nascence of Cybele in the Mediterranean area.
Cybele, the Phrygian fertility goddess, was born from a virgin. While St. Bede another great scholar suggested that the name Easter was etymologically evolved from the Scandinavian and the Teutonic word "Ostra" "Ostern" or "Eastre," both signifying Goddesses of spring and fertility.
Histories of Easter traditions begin when orthodox Christians in the Middle East and Medieval Europe, painted eggs with red color to symbolize the blood of Christ. Hollow eggs were decorated with pictures of Christ and Virgin Mary.
In the past, such colored Easter eggs were given as gifts and used in Easter-egg rolling games. It's worthwhile to note that the history of Easter festival is observed in different countries in different ways.
The festival is usually continued over a period of time with each day having a religious significance of its own, as 'Shrove Tuesday', 'Ash Wednesday', 'Lent', 'Mothering Sunday', 'Palm Sunday', 'Maundy Thursday' and 'Good Friday'.
Thus, no matter how primitive the history of Easter is, yet the festival of Easter hold great religious value to Christians all around the world.
Trace Easter History on Christmas Carnivals.
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