Decorating Easter eggs is such a fun tradition. It's a great way to sit down together with loved ones (or peacefully by yourself) and indulge in your creative side. Whether you're a skilled egg decorator, or a first-timer, egg decorating is all about being present and having some Easter fun. But have you ever wondered where this tradition began?
Egg decorating has been around for a very long time. Sorcha McCrory writes for Scandinavia Standard, "the practice of decorating eggshells itself is quite ancient, with decorated, engraved ostrich eggs found in Africa that are 60,000 years old. Representations of ostrich eggs in gold and silver were often placed in graves of the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians" (Scandinavia Standard).
Quickly adopted by the Christians, "it’s believed that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting. Early Christians in Mesopotamia dyed eggs red to mimic the blood that Christ shed during his crucifixion" (Scandinavia Standard).
Egg shaped Easter paraphernalia began popping up during the early 17th century, most notably with the "priceless jeweled creations of Carl Fabergé, made during the 19th century for the Russian Czar and Czarina" (Scandinavia Standard). Internationally, "marzipan eggs are popular in Denmark, while Swedes give Easter eggs filled with candy, mostly to kids who go from door to door dressed up as witches" (Scandinavia Standard).
You can read Sasha's full article by clicking here.
Take part in this time-honoured tradition, and decorate eggs this Easter!
(Image via Canva)
Posted by Ken Richter on
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