The Easter Egg is a paschal symbol, characterized by being made of chocolate and usually stuffed with surprises.
Currently, it is customary to present friends and family (especially children) with chocolate eggs during Easter.
From a religious point of view, the egg is considered symbol of birth and life. The relationship with Easter, celebrated by Christians, begins with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which represents the hope of a new life for all humanity.
Learn more about Christian Easter.
Presenting people with eggs is an ancient custom, common among the peoples who inhabited the Mediterranean region, Eastern Europe and the Orient.
During the festivities held with the arrival of spring, after winter, eggs (chicken) they were cooked and painted with designs that resembled crops and other figures related to the harvest.
THE hope of soil fertility and of bountiful harvests were represented with the exchange of colored eggs.
The art of painting eggs and giving them as gifts also became a common act in Christian festivities, where images of Jesus and Mary, mainly, were drawn.
Over time, the chocolate egg became part of the traditions of the Holy Week festivities.
Some authors believe that the chocolate egg tradition emerged after the 18th century, being an invention of French confectioners.
Another theory holds that Easter eggs became more popular with the chocolate industry revolution, which took place in England in the mid-19th century.
Today, many people are still in the habit of coloring Easter eggs and offering them to important people. Some historians claim that the habit of offering painted chicken eggs originated in Ancient Egypt, Persia, and among some Germanic tribes.
In many countries there is also a tradition of hiding Easter eggs for children to look for.
Learn more about the meaning of Easter symbols.
