Easter Symbols
Easter is full of Easter symbols that remind us what the holiday, and the whole season, are all about. Other holidays and seasons are connected with Easter and thus have common symbols or lend their symbols to Easter – these include Passover and spring.
Here is how those other seasons and holidays contribute or are connected to Easter and Easter symbols. Passover, for example, is a Jewish feast that typically falls the week before Easter, and for a long time was the date on which Christians based the placement of Easter each year. The Last Supper was either just before or on Passover. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus entry into Jerusalem just before the events surrounding his death and rebirth. Lent is 40 days prior to Easter, during which Christians fast in preparation for Easter.
Now let’s examine some Easter symbols.
Young animals, such as chicks, represent new life, as do eggs – they are common Easter symbols. Back to ancient times spring was associated with eggs. As chicks rise from eggs so to did Jesus rise from his tomb. Chicks break out of eggs to begin their new life on Earth.
The ancient world saw the rabbit as a symbol of new life, so it’s natural it would be one of the Easter symbols that represent life.
Lilies are Easter symbols because their color, white, is connected with Jesus’ purity. And lilies relate to Jesus resurrection in that, like him, they emerge from the Earth.
Easter symbols associated with Jesus, the Lamb of God, are lambs.
Jesus was killed on the cross but triumphed over death, so crosses are important Easter symbols.
When people came to Jerusalem just before his ordeal people welcomed him with palms which have become strong Easter symbols.
Like Jesus’ resurrection, new hats and outfits are about new life, and are thus Easter symbols
Some baked goods are Easter symbols, including hot cross buns which remind people of Christ and the crucifixion.
Candles are Easter symbols that remind people Jesus was called the light of the world.
Pretzels, a food eaten during lent and thus associated with Easter symbols, are shaped like arms folded in prayer.
Butterflies as Easter symbols remind people of every stage of Jesus’ life. They crawl around as caterpillars just as Jesus walked the Earth. They form cocoons to turn into butterflies, just as Jesus entered the tomb before being reborn.
Try Google or Yahoo to learn more about Easter symbols.
