The History of the Easter Egg - LFN #031
+ Coloring Easter Eggs Naturally, and Brunch is a big deal on weekends but even better on a holiday - Easter-worthy recipes... (Right here, keep scrolling 👇)
Welcome to this week’s installment of Living Fully Nourished, where I’m in full Easter Bunny mode, hopping around to get everything done. Enjoy this holiday installment for your Easter celebration with a special Easter Table Prayer!
The History of the Easter Egg
Easter is a time of celebration and renewal for Christians worldwide, marking Jesus Christ’s resurrection. One of the most global symbols of Easter is the Easter egg. But have you ever wondered about the history behind this colorful and decorative tradition?
The Easter egg has a fascinating and diverse history spanning cultures and civilizations. From ancient pagan rituals to Christian symbolism, it has become a cherished symbol of rebirth and new beginnings.
In this installment of Live Fully Nourished, I thought it would be fun to do some seasonal searching to delve into the long and storied history of the Easter egg.
An Egg for Springtime Celebrations
Ancient Origins
The tradition of decorating eggs dates back thousands of years to ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians, Persians, and Romans. These cultures viewed the egg as a fertility, renewal, and rebirth symbol. Eggs were often decorated with intricate designs and vibrant colors to welcome the arrival of spring and celebrate the cycle of life.
Pagan Connections
The custom of incorporating eggs into springtime celebrations continued in pagan traditions throughout Europe. In pre-Christian times, eggs were often used in fertility rites and as offerings to pagan deities. The arrival of spring was a time of feasting, dancing, and merriment, with eggs playing a central role in these festivities. The egg became a potent symbol of new life and the earth’s renewal after the long winter months.
Christian Adoption
With the spread of Christianity throughout Europe, the Easter egg took on new significance as a symbol of Jesus’s resurrection. Early Christian missionaries adopted the egg to convey the message of Christ’s victory over death and the promise of eternal life. The egg came to represent the tomb from which Jesus emerged on Easter Sunday, alive and triumphant.
Medieval Traditions
During the Middle Ages, decorating eggs for Easter became more elaborate and widespread. Eggs were often dyed in vibrant colors using natural ingredients such as onion skins, spinach, and beet juice. Intricate designs and patterns were added using wax or etching techniques, creating beautifully crafted works of art.
Modern Customs
Today, the Easter egg is a global symbol of the holiday season, with various customs and practices associated with it. In our family, as in many cultures, our kids and grandkids have participated in Easter egg hunts, searching for hidden eggs in and around the house or outside, hidden in the garden and patio.
The tradition of dyeing and decorating eggs at our house has always been popular, with various techniques and styles. While store-bought Easter egg dye kits can be convenient and fun, I think there is something extraordinary about creating your egg dyes using natural ingredients. Not only is this method environmentally friendly, but it also allows for a truly creative and unique egg-decorating experience.
Coloring Easter Eggs Naturally: A Guide to Beautiful, Eco-Friendly Egg Decorating
Why Use Natural Dyes?
Using natural ingredients to color Easter eggs has been a tradition for centuries in many cultures worldwide. Items like fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices are perfect for creating a thrilling range of beautiful and exciting colors. Additionally, natural dyes are non-toxic and food-safe, making them a safer option for families with young children.
How to Make Natural Egg Dyes:
To create natural egg dyes at home, you must gather various ingredients easily found in your kitchen or at a local grocery store. Here are some common ingredients and the colors they can produce:
Red/Pink: Beetroot, cranberries, red cabbage
Blue/Purple: Blueberries, red cabbage, purple grape juice
Yellow: Turmeric, onion skins, chamomile tea
Orange: Paprika, carrot tops with skins, yellow onion skins, coffee (for a gold-ish color)
Green: Spinach, parsley, cilantro
To create the dyes, simmer the ingredients in water for 30-60 minutes, depending on the desired color intensity. Once the dye has cooled, strain out any solids and add one tablespoon of vinegar to each cup of dye to help the colors adhere to the eggshells.
Decorating Tips:
Of course, before dyeing your eggs, you’ll want to hard boil them first and let them cool completely. To achieve different shades of color, you’ll soak the eggs in dyes for varying amounts of time. Try adding a few drops of olive oil to the dye for a marbled effect before dipping the eggs in.
You can also experiment with different patterns and designs by using masking tape, rubber bands, or even wax to create unique shapes and textures on the eggs before dipping them.
After the eggs have been dyed and dried, you can give them a glossy finish by rubbing them with a small amount of vegetable or mineral oil.
In recent years, I’ve found that coloring Easter eggs naturally is a beautiful way to celebrate the holiday sustainably and creatively. Using simple natural ingredients, you can create stunning, one-of-a-kind eggs that everyone will cherish and admire. So, consider gathering some natural ingredients this Easter and try your hand at this age-old tradition of natural egg dyeing.
Easter Table Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank you for this beautiful Easter day and the opportunity to gather around this table to celebrate the resurrection of Your Son, Jesus Christ. We thank You for His sacrifice on the cross and His victory over sin and death through His resurrection. May this meal remind us of Your abundant grace and unfailing love. Just as Jesus triumphed over the grave, may we, too, find hope and strength in His victory.
We pray this meal nourishes our bodies and souls, providing sustenance and filling us with your love and grace.
As we partake in this bountiful meal, let us be mindful of those facing hunger and struggles during this season of renewal and new beginnings. May we depart from this table with renewed strength and faith, ready to share the good news of Jesus’ resurrection with others.
Finally, dear Lord, we thank You for Your presence among us and the promise of eternal life through the gift of Your Son and the hope he brings. Please help us live out our faith in ways that honor and glorify You, always seeking to follow in the footsteps of our risen Savior.
In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.
Before we go
Brunch is a big deal on weekends but even better on holidays. Easter-worthy recipes for the weekend…
Whether fixing Sunday Easter brunch for your family or creating a smorgasbord buffet for visiting family, friends, and out-of-town guests, these recipes and brunch ideas make it easy to prepare sweet and savory dishes that can feed a crowd!
Follow the links below for some of our favorites:
Brunch is Always A Good Idea! - The eight recipes in this roundup include:
Asparagus Prosciutto & Gruyere Puff Pastry
Banana Chai Chocolate Chip Muffins
Chai French Toast Bake
Chai Scones with Maple Coffee Glaze
Ham & Cheddar Popover Sandwiches
Salmon Cakes with Buttermilk Herb Dressing
Spinach & Feta Phyllo Galette
Download the Detailed Meal Plan with Step-by-Step Instructions »
(Please note that I am no longer affiliated with Wildtree, though I still love their gluten-free products!)
More recipes from the blog:
I hope you’ll enjoy these seasonal favorite recipes perfect for Easter!
Exploring Easter recipes and Easter history provides a rich tapestry of traditions, flavors, and cultural significance that have endured through centuries. From the symbolic meaning of Easter foods to the evolution of traditional dishes across different cultures and regions, I hope you’ll enjoy uncovering a bit of the brief history of the Easter egg, its cultural influence, and decorating eggs with natural dyes, as I have.
By delving into the historical origins of the Easter Egg, decorating eggs, and enriching our faith through celebrations associated with this holiday, we gain a deeper appreciation for the diversity and complexity of Easter traditions worldwide. Whether it’s the sweetness of treats, the richness of ham dishes, or the vibrancy of colorful Easter eggs, these recipes nourish our bodies and connect us to our past and the shared experiences of humanity. As we gather around the Easter table with loved ones, let us savor the flavors, stories, and traditions that make this holiday a time of joy, renewal, and connection.
Happy Easter to all!
🐰 🥕🐣Feel free to reply to this email with any additional questions! Or you can always comment below. 🥚😋👌
Have a wonderful Easter weekend ahead. ‘Till next time…
XOXO,
Kymberley - the coach, cook, creator, and publisher of GfreeDeliciously.com.
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