The History and Symbolism of Easter Eggs -

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The History and Symbolism of Easter Eggs

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By Cheri Sicard

Posted August 6th, 2007

FabulousFoods.com Recommends: Holiday Eggs, by Georgeanne Brennan, (2002, Ten Speed Press)

Holiday Eggs

Easter Eggs, the symbol of fertility and new life, are easily the most identifiable symbol of the holiday. Eggs are an Easter custom that date back to Pagan times. The bright colors that adorn the eggs symbolize the sunlight of spring and celebrate the equinox.

Different cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs. For instance, the crimson eggs embedded in Greek Easter Breads are so colored to symbolize the blood of Christ. Easter celebrants in Germany use natural items like leaves and ferns to make a kind of reverse stencil for their eggs.

Perhaps the most elaborate are Pysanki eggs, a masterpiece of skill and workmanship from the Ukraine. Melted beeswax is applied to the fresh white egg which is then dipped in successive dyes. After each dip, wax is painted over the area where the preceding color is to remain. Eventually a complex pattern of lines and colors emerges into a work of art.

In many countries, the eggs colored are not hard boiled, but rather "blown" -- the contents removed by piercing the end of each egg with a needle and blowing the contents into a bowl (follow link for directions). The hollow eggs are then dyed various colors and hung from shrubs and trees during Easter Week. Using hollowed egg shells also allows you to preserve favorite eggs from year to year (if you're very, very careful).

Simple or intricate, pastel or intensely colored, people the world over decorate eggs to celebrate Easter and spring. Each year we have fun coming up with new egg ideas and designs. After so many years of experimenting, we think we've got it down. The following links will give you all the information you need to turn out spectacular Easter Eggs!

More on Easter Eggs
See the Related Features, Projects, and Recipes tabs below for lots more information on Easter Eggs, including designer colored egg projects and delicious recipes that make culinary use of leftover Easter eggs.

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