The story of how the egg turned red. Why do we paint eggs for Easter? Legends and history. What does the Easter egg symbolize?
This tradition dates back many centuries, and most people take it for granted without even thinking why it is done. In fact, it is even older than the Easter holiday itself, and its history goes far into the mists of time. Historians can only guess why eggs are painted for Easter, and there are several versions of this.
The modern explanation of why eggs are dyed for Easter these days, which many Christians adhere to, is as follows: there is one beautiful ancient legend about Mary Magdalene, who brought the news of the Resurrection of Christ to Tiberius. Since it was impossible to appear at the court of the emperor without offerings, and Mary Magdalene had no opportunity not only to bring luxurious gifts, but also simply to make a gift, she took with her the usual egg. When the emperor listened to her message, he mockingly said that he would believe that a dead person could be resurrected only when an ordinary egg turns red, well, even that. A miracle happened - the egg immediately turned red. By the way, there is no description of such a story in Christian sources, and this version is not considered official, but is very loved by believers. It is to this story, in their opinion, that the tradition of painting eggs for Easter dates back.
According to another, less miraculous version of the same legend, Mary Magdalene simply gave the emperor a red-painted egg with an inscription formed from the first two letters of the sentence "Christ is risen" - and this was the first Easter egg.
Unbiased researchers are inclined to believe that Christians adopted this tradition from earlier cults. Indeed, it is in many pre-Christian beliefs, in particular, among the Slavs. Why do they paint eggs? In pagan cults, the egg was a symbol of fertility, and in the spring the Slavs also had a big holiday dedicated to the awakening of nature and the beginning of the fertile season, and eggs, as its symbol, were decorated in every possible way. Over time, these holidays merged and got mixed up among the poorly educated segments of the population. Perhaps the aforementioned legends appeared to justify the fact that believing Christians began to observe pagan rites on the largest Christian holiday. By the way, some clergymen with radical views do not welcome this even today, not understanding why they paint eggs for Easter. Some of them even say that it is sinful and try to forbid parishioners from dyeing eggs. But this tradition has taken root so much and has become part of Christian culture that believers meet such statements with bewilderment.
There is also a more prosaic explanation of why eggs are dyed for Easter. Perhaps this was due to the fact that during a long fast it was impossible to eat them, and so that they did not deteriorate, they were boiled by adding various herbs, for example, so as not to confuse boiled eggs with colored ones.
In fact, is it worth considering why eggs are painted for Easter - no matter where the roots of this tradition come from, the main thing is that it is very beautiful and popular. Why paint eggs for Easter? To decorate festive table to have fun, to congratulate each other - that's the correct answer. Many folk amusements are associated with colored eggs - which of us did not play with them in childhood, testing the egg for strength? And how happy it was to win someone else's egg, and it doesn't matter at all whether we liked to eat them or not. They also appear in many beliefs and rituals. In particular, sometimes for successful construction and the future well-being of residents, many such traditions were laid in the foundation of a house under construction, and each nation has its own. In general, painting eggs is fun and beautiful, no matter what the history of this ceremony is.
The Bright Resurrection of Christ is a great and extraordinarily beautiful holiday. The brightest tradition of this day is the coloring of boiled eggs, but few people know where this ancient tradition came from.
According to legend, Christ was resurrected, suffering torment on the Cross on Good Friday and thereby atoning for the sins of all the people. Easter is considered the most important holiday of the year: all Orthodox are looking forward to it. And of course, for all people, the coloring of chicken eggs in bright colors is considered a clear symbol of the upcoming holiday.
This tradition goes back over 1000 years. In the mythology of many peoples, the egg is considered a symbol of life and rebirth: the shell symbolizes resistance to life circumstances, and the protein and yolk - the changeable inner essence of events and phenomena. Together they combine to form a symbol of change, hope and rebirth.
Initially, all eggs were painted exclusively in red: it symbolized the blood of Christ, which changed the life of all mankind. Currently, in addition to the classic red color, eggs are dyed in all shades. colors sometimes creating amazing masterpieces.
Without support higher powers there will never be those who are engaged in a charitable work. Try your hand at embroidering icons. The holy face embroidered with your own hands will become a real decoration of your room, and the work that you spent on embroidery will be appreciated by the church. It was not for nothing that in ancient times wives embroidered icons when they sent their husbands to exploits: such an icon was considered the best amulet. You can purchase the kit and everything you need for embroidery right now if you follow this link.
A great delight wakes up inside every Orthodox when the Easter egg presented from the heart is passed from hand to hand with the eternal words: “Christ is Risen!” We wish you a Happy Easter. Smile more often and don't forget to press the buttons and
13.04.2017 21:55
The bright holiday of Easter is celebrated every year at different times. But it's always a happy day.
Easter cakes and colored eggs have long been traditional dishes for Easter. Apart from symbolic meaning, from...
Why are Easter eggs red? The answer to this question lies in the Easter tradition itself, in which the egg acts as one of the main symbols of the Holy Resurrection of Christ. According to legend, the Holy Equal-to-the-Apostles Mary Magdalene, during her sermon in Rome, presented the emperor Tiberius with a chicken egg, while exclaiming: “Christ is Risen!”
In response to this, the Roman emperor objected that it would sooner turn this chicken egg from white to red than he would believe that anyone living on this earth had the ability to resurrect. The ruler of Rome demanded a miracle and the miracle happened. Before the eyes of many people, the chicken egg presented by Magdalene turned red.
So red eggs for Easter according to the Bible, or rather, already according to the New Testament, have firmly entered the tradition of celebrating and have become, along with Easter cake, the main attribute of the holiday. Christians around the world began to color eggs primarily in red and other colors. There is an analogy here: a chicken egg symbolizes the birth of a new life. Christ the Savior, by his death on the cross, atoned for the sins of all mankind and gave new life. The shell of a chicken egg symbolizes the coffin, and the red color symbolizes the blood shed by Jesus Christ. There is another reason why eggs are dyed red at Easter.
Second importance red egg on the Bright Resurrection of Christ - the royal dignity of Jesus Christ. In the East, red was associated with royalty.
Until now, it is difficult to imagine Easter without eggs painted in different colors. Consecrated in the church early in the morning on Easter, along with Easter cake and other products, eggs are the first product that breaks the fast after a long and, without exaggeration, difficult Great Lent, preceding the Bright Resurrection of Christ.
However, there is another legend about a red egg for Easter, which sends us to Ancient Rome to Emperor Marcus Aurelius. An incident is described that occurred in 121 AD. The household of the family of the future emperor (who at that time was a small child) contained a huge chicken coop. One day, workers found an egg laid by a hen in the straw, completely covered with bright red dots.
This event was perceived as an exceptionally good omen, predicting a great and bright future for the new ruler of Rome. Since then, a tradition has been born on the territory of the empire to give each other painted eggs. With the birth of Jesus Christ, and later with the fulfillment of his great mission, colored eggs (especially red) acquired the symbolism of the blood of the Savior shed for humanity and eternal life for everyone who believes.
But this is not the only meaning of a chicken egg for Easter. The fact is that in Palestine, where decisive events for mankind took place with the advent of Jesus Christ, it was customary to arrange tombs in caves, the entrance to which was blocked by stones, after the deceased was left there. The stone with which they blocked the entrance to the tomb, where they left the body of Jesus Christ crucified on the cross, was very similar in shape to a chicken egg. Thus, in Christianity, the Easter egg is a symbol of the Holy Sepulcher, in which eternal life is hidden.
In various sources, another interesting case is described related to the chicken egg and the death and subsequent resurrection of Christ. A group of Jews gathered after the execution of Jesus at a meal. Among the dishes on the table were fried chicken and boiled chicken eggs. One of those present remembered the promise of Jesus Christ to give his life on the cross, and then rise on the third day, to which his interlocutors replied that the fried chicken would soon come to life, and the white eggs would turn red. In the next moment, the eggs really turned red.
P.S. According to another legend, it is believed that the Mother of God herself in her childhood dyed chicken eggs to please the little Savior. A painted chicken egg for Easter reminds us of the great gift of Jesus Christ, presented to every believer.
Easter is the most important and awaited holiday in the Christian world. Even atheists to some extent expect it, because with Easter the real spring begins. For Christians, this holiday reflects the whole essence of faith - Christ was crucified for the sins of people and resurrected on the third day. This is Easter - the Resurrection of Christ. For some Orthodox, the tradition of painting eggs for Easter is important, but is it really necessary to do this? Where does this custom originate from?
The history of Easter attributes
Passover, or Pesach, was originally purely Jewish.
When the Lord freed the Jews from Egyptian captivity, He ordered each family to slaughter a lamb and anoint the doorposts with its blood, and the spirit of death sent by the Almighty would pass by this house. The Egyptian families did not do this in every family. The Almighty took the firstborn.
Where does the tradition of painting eggs for Easter come from? To answer this question, one should turn to historical sources, because the first mention of this can be found in the manuscripts of the 10th century, stored in the monastery of St. Anastasia in Greece.
The manuscript contains the charter of the church of that time regarding the celebration of Easter and indicates a prayer for the blessing of cheese and eggs. It is also written there that the rector, greeting the brothers, distributed them and said: “Christ is Risen!”. Another manuscript of the 13th century says that the rector can punish the monk who does not eat red fried eggs on Easter, since this is a contradiction of the apostolic tradition.
For reference! In Russia, this tradition has been known for a long time. In addition to chicken, there is a whole culture of painting wooden, tin and bone paints.
colored eggs
pagan traditions
Sometimes you can come across the opinion that the tradition of baking Easter cakes has pagan roots and is associated with the masculine principle of the ancient gods. Orthodox Christians should know that such theories are nothing more than attempts by sectarian groups and pagan organizations to discredit the celebration of Easter and the Christian faith in general, to give them a ungodly meaning.
Christian traditions
Making Easter cakes and krashenki for Easter is a pious Orthodox tradition. It is not obligatory for execution, but following it brings a special triumph to oneself. big holiday throughout the Christian world.
There are several theories about krashenka as a symbol of Easter:
- This is a symbol of an empty tomb: red dye symbolizes an empty tomb and the risen Christ. The shell in this case is the stone of the tomb, drenched in His blood. Those. the red egg became a symbol of the empty tomb and Christ who died for us.
- Miracle of God: There is a legend of a miracle that God performed before the emperor Tiberius. According to legend, Mary Magdalene came to the reception of the emperor Tiberius and gave him eggs, saying: "Christ is Risen!". The emperor refused to believe it and said: “It is impossible just like the fact that a white shell can become scarlet!” and at the same moment the white shell miraculously became scarlet.
- When Christianity began to spread in Rus', and even in Europe, the pagans extremely stubbornly held on to their pagan traditions, and the theologians of that time decided not to take away the traditions from them, but to modernize their meaning and replace it with a Christian one. Thus, the feast of Easter came to the pagans, and the Church Fathers allowed them to bring eggs to churches.
As for the tradition of baking Easter cakes, it finds its roots in the liturgical rite. At the solemn service in honor of the Holy Resurrection of Christ, a special bread is consecrated - artos - which stands in the temple for the entire Bright Week, it is worn during religious processions. After a week, this bread is divided into parts and distributed to the parishioners, who keep and eat it all year, until the next Easter, as a shrine.
Since the family in Orthodoxy is considered a small Church, a tradition has arisen to make one's own, family Easter bread. Everyone's favorite Easter cakes became them. Of course, homemade cakes are not as sacred as artos, but, undoubtedly, they have become an essential attribute of Easter celebrations.
As you can see, Easter cakes owe their origin not to pagan cults at all, but to the peculiarities of worship at Easter.
Cottage cheese pasochka, which is made from homemade fatty cottage cheese and eggs, also has a symbolic meaning. It is made in a special conical shape and symbolizes the Holy Sepulcher, in which He stayed until His Resurrection. On the sides of the curd pastry, the letters ХВ are squeezed out, meaning the Easter greeting “Christ is Risen!”, As well as a cross, spears, sometimes flowers that characterize the suffering of Christ and His subsequent resurrection.
About the Easter kitchen:
Why cook krashenki for Easter today
Bringing eggs to churches for Easter, Christians should understand that this is only a folk tradition, which is completely optional. The sin is to eat boiled egg with multi-colored shells is not, but you should not pay more attention to eggs than to Christ.
It is possible for a person to be saved only through the Blood of Jesus Christ, but not through food.
Dyeing eggs, baking Easter cakes - all these are folk customs and a person who wants to celebrate Easter is absolutely not obliged to do this. But this is not a sin.
The main thing for this holiday is to cleanse your heart and accept Christ as the Savior of the soul, accepting His death. We must believe with all our hearts that Christ died for every person and rose again on the third day. It is His Blood that cleanses us from sin and enables us to have a personal relationship with the Lord.
Why red is important
Red has always been a symbol of kings, power and blood. Jesus Christ is our King, He has all power on earth and His blood was shed for us. Thus, red dyes symbolize His blood, His royal power and power over all the earth.
Many traditions and legends that tell about eggs indicate that their color was scarlet, which is why it dominates Easter eggs.
Watch the video about dyed eggs
The great feast of Easter is a joyful day for believers when Jesus rose from the dead and all our sins were blotted out.
It is no coincidence that the chicken egg is one of the symbols of this holiday. But where did the tradition of painting it come from? There are several versions of this.
Household need to paint eggs on Easter
After the adoption of Christianity, believers adhered to Great Lent and did not eat eggs for all six weeks. But the chickens were still laying, and people wanted to keep the food. They were boiled and dyed red with onion skins or table beets. It was convenient. So it was easy to distinguish raw eggs from boiled ones.
Why eggs are dyed for Easter - a theory about Mary Magdalene
After the resurrection of Jesus, she came to the Roman emperor Tiberius with this good news. At that distant time, it was necessary to bring a gift to a royal person in order to get an audience. Since Mary did not belong to a wealthy class, she offered the emperor a chicken egg as a gift. He laughed and replied that he would believe in the resurrection if it turned red. And so it happened, in his hands the egg changed color.
The tradition of ancient ancestors to paint eggs for Easter
Among all the peoples of the world, the ancestors revered the egg as a symbol of the birth of the Universe and the new life of any creature. So the egg symbolizes the eternal life hidden in it inside.
Paint eggs for Easter as a toy for a child
The mother of Jesus, the Virgin Mary, to amuse the child with a toy, painted eggs and offered them for fun. She was poor, so there were no other options with toys for the baby.
Why eggs are dyed for Easter - the egg dealer theory
During the procession of the guards and Jesus to Calvary, a merchant passed next to them, who carried a whole basket of eggs to the market for sale. He saw that Jesus had fallen under the weight of his cross and hurried to help him, leaving the basket by the side of the road. And when he returned, he saw a miracle - all the eggs turned red. The merchant decided to simply distribute them to relatives and friends as a symbol of a great miracle.
The Apostle Paul and his disciples - another theory why eggs are painted
Once in one city, just Paul and his disciples were preaching. There were also ill-wishers of the Christian faith among the inhabitants of that city. They ambushed Paul and his disciples and began to throw stones at them. But the latter on the fly began to turn into red eggs. So people believed in the power and truth of the teachings of Christ.
Paint eggs for Easter as a symbol of life
For Christians, the egg symbolizes the tomb of the Lord, and its red color is the resurrection.
There is also a version that the red eggs are stones at the entrance to the grotto where Jesus was buried. These stones after the resurrection changed color and symbolized the innocent blood of Christ shed for the sins of all mankind.
