History of Easter Eggs 

Okay, we all love Easter eggs, whether a child or adult.  Some families still use hardboiled and colored eggs while others choose chocolate Easter eggs.  Today, it is customary for adults to hide Easter eggs for the big hunt, followed by children carrying baskets around, trying to gather as many eggs as they can possibly find.  However, while the Easter egg hunt is fun and the eggs delicious to eat, you might be surprised by the history. 

Easter comes from several words associated with new birth or a new growing season, being spring.  In addition, the Easter bunny has long been a symbol of fertility.  As far as the Easter egg, ancient Phoenicians, Persians, Hindus, and Egyptians thought the world itself was originally a huge egg.  For this reason, the egg soon became the symbol of rebirth and life. 

As far as Easter, Edward I from England purchased 450 eggs all gold leafed and colored.  When done, the eggs were given out as Easter gifts, something believed to be the start of the official Easter egg.  However, some 500 years ago, a book was written that spoke of Easter eggs, specifically by name.  Then, during Lent, Christians were not allowed to eat meat.  Once the Lent season was over, which was Easter, people would chow down on meat and eggs, again contributing to the official “Easter egg”. 

Just as children in the United States knock on doors during Halloween for candy, many children in European countries still do the same at Easter time but for eggs.  This practice known as “pace egging”, which is derived from the word Pasch, which translates to Easter, is quite popular.  Throughout the world, many countries celebrate Easter and eggs in one way or another although some countries to include South America and Mexico do not celebrate this holiday at all. 

For people who use hardboiled eggs, the most fun is decorating the eggs.  You can purchase egg-decorating kits or create personal masterpieces by hand.  However, the process of decorating Easter eggs has become big business and in fact, many contests have been established with amazing and elaborate designs.  If you want to decorate eggs with or for your children, always start with dye formulated for food to ensure safety.  Then, consider any of the following design options or simply come up with something on your own. 

s       Etched – For this, the egg is dyed, followed by a layer of wax being applied.  From there, the color is bleached off the egg, exposing only the colored area with the wax layer.

s       Krashanky – This Ukrainian word translates to “color”, which is exactly what these Easter eggs are.  Dyed with vivid colors, the eggs are always a solid color.  Interestingly, the most popular color for these Easter eggs is red, which is representative of Jesus’ blood.

s       Pysanky – Coming from the word “pysaty”, which translates to “write”, these Easter eggs are decorated with beautiful writing

s       Jeweled – Easter eggs in this case are simply adorned with glued on beads, glitter, sequins, and so on

s       Carved – Although a little more complex, the egg is blown out and then portions of the eggshell cut away to create incredible designs