Easter, the one time of year where chocolate seems to be a good meal for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Okay, so maybe a little extreme, but if my kids had their way, they’d certainly try to eat as much chocolate as they can stomach. Throw in a few hot cross buns too and it certainly makes for a sweet time of year.
Food aside, what makes Easter a special time of year and why is it celebrated? Easter began as a holiday on the Christian calendar to commemorate Jesus’ death and resurrection. The introduction of the Easter Bunny and chocolate eggs have certainly commercialised this holiday. Easter also coincides with the beginning of autumn in the Southern Hemisphere.
The word ‘Easter’ doesn’t appear to have a definitive origin, but from looking into it further, many people believe it’s named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, Eostre. The celebration of equinoxes and solstices has long been a pagan tradition, since before Christianity. The Easter symbols of eggs and rabbits are both used to symbolise new life.
Early Christians used eggs as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus during Easter. Traditionally, Christians practicing Lent would abstain from all animal products leading up to Easter and then eat eggs during Easter celebrations. This is where the Easter traditions of hard-boiling eggs and decorating them began. It seems many countries around the world have their own unique Easter symbols. For example, Germany has an Easter fox, there’s the cuckoo in Switzerland and here in Australia we have a fondness for the bilby, a native marsupial.
What else happens in Australia to celebrate Easter?
Along with enjoying one too many chocolate eggs, many people eat hot cross buns – with butter, jam and cream, toasted or plain straight out of the packet. It is thought that this treat originates from England in the mid-1300s. In Australia, hot cross buns go on sale in supermarkets and bakeries from as early as Boxing Day (face palm!). These days you can find a variety of hot cross bun flavours including traditional, chocolate, apple and cinnamon and the latest I found was Pizza Shapes Hot Cross Buns – not sure how I feel about this one!!
Most people in Australia celebrate the Easter holiday in some way, shape or form. Some do this for religious reasons, however, just like Christmas, Easter has become less about religion for many people in Australia. Others simply enjoy the opportunity to relax over the long weekend. People might head to Mass at their local church, gather for a meal with family, catch up with friends or take the time to get on top of things around the house. And of course, an oldie but a goodie nonetheless, let’s not forget about the backyard/park Easter egg hunts! Something for the young (and young at heart) to enjoy. There is something sweet and magical about the joy an Easter egg hunt brings to anyone’s face when they uncover an array of yummy treats hidden specially for them!
However you spend your time over the Easter period, take care, be happy and make the most of the time with your family and friends. From everyone here at The LOCAL, we wish you all a very safe and Happy Easter!
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