Where does the tradition of Easter eggs come from?

The time of resurrection is one of the most anticipated moments by many believers of the festivities, it is already around the corner. This year, Easter Day is commemorated on Sunday, March 31, when Holy Week ends and the rebirth of Jesus is celebrated, and one of the most notable characteristics of this period is its multiple traditions, including chocolate eggs.

Easter eggs represent the beginning of life and in Spain and many countries they are given, along with chocolate rabbits, to family and friends to wish them good and prosperous times. For their part, these animals are symbols of fertility and the rebirth of the earth.

Origin

To know the beginning of the custom of Easter eggs, it is necessary to go back to ancient pagan cultures, who understood the 'egg' as a symbol of fertility, rebirth and hope, which became part of their rituals to attract good luck. . Likewise, the Egyptians emptied, painted and decorated them with the purpose of “helping” women get pregnant and, along with the Persians, added them to their spring celebrations.

With the arrival of Christianity, many of these pagan rituals were assimilated, and thus eggs became directly related to the resurrection of Christ and the renewal of life. According to Christian traditions, this rounded body represents the empty tomb of Christ after his resurrection. On the other hand, during the Middle Ages the custom of decorating this symbol of Easter developed, although they were adorned with religious ornaments. It was around this time that they began to be given as gifts, especially in countries like Germany and Austria. The tradition of hiding them in gardens, parks and fields for children to find also dates back to this time in history.

Currently, in countries like Italy, when it is Palm Sunday, many families bring eggs to church to bless them and consume them later on Easter Sunday. Today, this Easter gastronomic tradition is an important part of the celebration of this time not only in Spain, but also around the world. For this reason, for a few days now we have been able to see this type of chocolate in the various supermarkets and confectioneries in the Region.