Fun Facts About Easter Symbols
The Easter Season is a time of rebirth, and for many a very Holy time of year, but what does a fuzzy bunny delivering colored eggs and baskets of candy have to do with it? There are many images associated with Easter around the world. Here are some fun facts about where these popular Easter symbols and traditions originated.
Easter Bunny
Rabbits have long been associated with fertility and springtime. They are a symbol of new life throughout ancient Europe. But where did the notion of a mythical bunny hopping around the world deliver candy originate?
The idea of a treat giving hare came to the U.S. in the 18th century, from German immigrants in Pennsylvania Dutch country. The children believed the Osterhase to be a magical egg-laying hare that would leave treats for only good little youngsters. These immigrant children would make little nests in which the Osterhase would leave colored eggs behind in the nests. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts while decorated baskets replaced nests.
Easter Eggs
Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. It is believed this tradition originated because eggs needed to be preserved during the Lenten season. Eggs were formerly a forbidden food during this season of penance and fasting. The eggs were often boiled to “preserve” them. They were later dyed and decorated to mark the end of the season of temperance, and eaten on Easter as part of the holiday celebration.
Easter egg hunts and “egg rolling” are two popular egg-related traditions. In America, the White House Easter Egg Roll, a race in which children push decorated, hard-boiled eggs across the White House lawn, is an annual event held the Monday after Easter. The first official White House egg roll occurred in 1878, when Rutherford B. Hayes was the president.
The Easter Lily
The lily is noted as the flower of Easter. While this has many Biblical references, the beautiful trumpet-shaped white flowers have commonly been a symbol of purity, virtue, innocence, hope and life. These virtues can be considered the spiritual essence of Easter. Around the world, history, mythology, literature, poetry and art are widespread with stories and images that speak of the beauty and majesty of the elegant white flowers.
Easter Candy
Candy naturally made it’s mark on the season. According to the National Confectioner’s Association in 2012, Americans spent nearly $2.1 billion on Easter candy, edging out Halloween, with its $2 billion in sales. Following was Christmas with approximately $1.4 billion and then Valentine’s Day with about $1 billion in candy sales.
Americans consume nearly 71 million pounds of chocolate every Easter. Chocolate bunnies are the most popular, with over 90 million produced each year. Another traditional Easter treat is the Marshmallow Peep, shaped like chicks, bunnies or eggs. Americans buy more than 700 million for Easter, making it the most popular non-chocolate candy consumed. Americans consume over 16 million jellybeans during the Easter Season alone. That means, if you lined up all the Easter jellybeans, they would circle the Earth almost three times!
In 1953, it took around 27 hours to create a Marshmallow Peep,
and today it takes only six minutes!
Regardless of whatever popular Easter symbols you believe in, or traditions you participate in, family is usually at the center of it all. Easter is a time gather and celebrate the rebirth of the spring and the coming summer months. It is a great occasion to become reacquainted with nature and loved ones.
Main & Market invites you to visit us Easter Sunday from 7:30AM to 2PM for our all NEW Easter Brunch Menu. Or if you would prefer to stay home, our multi-talented catering team is excited to announce our Easter Catering Menu. Impress your guests with tempting appetizers, succulent main dishes, and award-winning desserts. All orders must be received by 12PM Thursday, April 2.