Easter is the largest church holiday for Orthodox Christians. In Russia, even people far from religion on this spring day bake cakes and paint eggs, congratulating each other. What does the main symbol of Easter mean - a colored egg?
Why eggs are painted on Easter
According to legend, the first Easter egg was presented by Christ's disciple Mary Magdalene to Emperor Tiberius. At an audience with the Roman rulers, everyone was supposed to present them with gifts, and the woman had nothing but an egg. She gave it to Tiberius with the words "Christ is Risen!" The sovereign did not believe this and replied: "It is more likely that this egg will turn red than the dead will rise again!" At that moment, the egg in his hands turned red, and the amazed emperor said: "Indeed he is risen!". Thus, the Easter egg is a symbol of the beginning of a new life and the truthful message about the resurrection of the Savior.
What is customary to paint on Easter eggs
The most famous Easter decorations are birds, flowers and trees. The bird is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and the rebirth of nature. Most often, eggs are decorated with the image of a dove, crane or chicken. The Easter bunny (hare) is a symbol that came to us from Catholicism. He personifies fertility, family well-being and a bountiful harvest in the new year. Flowers are an indispensable attribute of Bright Easter. In our country, carnations became the flowers of Christ, because they were the ones that decorated his shroud. The Easter tree is a symbol of the heavenly tree of life, which also often becomes an element of Easter decor.
