THE SYMBOLIC EGG

The cherished Easter traditions, including the Easter Bunny, the Egg, and Easter Parades are not found in the Bible but have been around for centuries. The Easter Bunny, the most secular symbol of the Christian holiday, supposedly was introduced to America by the German immigrants who also had stroies of an egg-laying rabbit.  The egg decorating tradition can date back to at least the 13th century.One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the season of Lent, so people would decorate them to mask the end of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration. The egg is a symbol of new life as brought on in spring and said to represent emergence and resurrection in Christian beliefs. The parade has old roots but the Easter candy treats are among the modern additions to this beloved springtime holiday.