It might shock some to learn that Easter is not actually a Christian holiday. Easter has very clear pagan roots that predate Christ in the flesh. The name “Easter” derives from the pagan queen of heaven Ishtar or Astarte, as well as various other names depending on the region celebrating.
During some Easter celebrations, men and women would assemble in a circle around a fire each placing a piece of oatcake in a shepherd’s bonnet. One of the pieces would be blackened. Each person was blindfolded and chose a piece of oatcake out of the bonnet. Whoever chose the blackened piece would then jump into the fire. In ages before, people would be sacrificed into the fire to the pagan god Baal.
Okay, so that doesn’t have anything to do with the average family’s Easter tradition. I won’t touch on all the pagan traditions, but would like to address the Easter egg issue.
Prior to the 3rd and 4th century, Christians typically celebrated Pascha, which is Greek for Passover; commemorating the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ who was in essence our Passover Lamb. Easter was incorporated after this by the Roman Catholic Church along with many other pagan traditions; likely entwining the two beliefs to convert pagans to Christianity.
Belief among various groups of pagans was that at one time, a very large egg fell from heaven into the Euphrates River. Fishes then rolled it to the bank where doves rested themselves on the egg until it hatched. Inside was said to be the goddess of sex or fertility Venus (who was also referred in other pagan cultures by other names such as Astarte…). It was also believed that the egg served as an ark in the time of the Great Flood in which the human race was housed inside.
Eggs have represented fertility. Springtime and fertility are likely why we see bunnies advertised around Easter (they along with other rodents bread a lot). Painted eggs were used as decoration for the Easter festival.
Sunrise services derived from the tradition of watching the Sun-god rise Easter morning to be worshiped by pagans. You can further read what God’s feelings were on this in Ezekiel 8:15-18.
So why then do we do it? Tradition? So as Christians, where does this leave us as we use Easter to glorify Jesus? I really believe this is between us and God, but the big question should be who or what are you glorifying on Easter?
Please visit my introductory blog: The History of Traditions