How did the egg come to represent Easter?

And what about the Easter bunny?

Well, the exact origins are not clear, but here goes a theory.

The egg represents new life and rebirth that happens in Spring.

In Christian beliefs, the egg was a symbol of the resurrection and the empty shell a metaphor for Jesus’ tomb.

The custom of the Easter egg hunt was thought to come from Germany. Some suggest that its origins date back to the late 16th century when the Protestant reformer Martin Luther organized egg hunts for his people. The men would hide the eggs for the women and children to find.

In the German Lutheran tradition the Easter egg hunt is linked to the Easter Bunny – or the Easter Hare as he was originally known.

Custom had it that the bunny would bring a basket of brightly painted eggs for all the children who had been good, and these would be hidden around the house and garden for the children to find. The bad kids probably had to clean the bunny cage.

The exact beginnings of the Easter Bunny fable are unclear, but rabbits are an ancient symbol of fertility and a new life because they are so prolific. They have appeared in paintings with the Virgin Mary and the Christ child.

That's it in a nutshell - or um Eggshell..

Have a wonderful week and a nice Easter Sunday.