Easter Eggs is one of the oldest symbols associated with the Easter holiday around the world. The customs and traditions of using Easter eggs have been related with Easter for many years. These Easter Eggs were originally dyed and painted chicken eggs. But with changing times, today Easter Eggs are made from chocolate or plastic eggs filled with candy such as jellybeans and many others.
Easter Eggs are a symbolic representation of fertility and new life. Different countries use Easter Eggs differently. Originally these brightly colored Easter Eggs used to signify the onset of spring and were exchanged as gifts on the occasion of Easter. In medieval times Easter Eggs were given away to servants.
Every country has come up with their own way to decorate the Easter Eggs. In Greece, eggs are colored in Crimson to honor the blood of Christ. In certain parts of Germany and Austria green eggs are made on Holy Thursday.
Also in Germany and some other countries, eggs used for cooking are not broken, but pierced at the end with a needle and putting the contents into a bowl. The hollow eggs are dyed and hung from shrubs and trees during the Easter Week. In Armenia, Easter eggs are decorated with pictures of Christ, Virgin Mary and other religious designs.
Easter Eggs are decorated in many different ways and are given away as token of friendship, love and warm wishes. In Britain, Easter eggs are rolled down steep hills on Easter Sunday. This is a very old tradition but is still followed with full enthusiasm.
The Poles and Ukrainians decorate Easter eggs with simple designs and colors. These colorful and artistic eggs are called pysanki. Pysanki eggs are a work of art. Melted beeswax is applied to the fresh white egg and dipped in successive baths of dye. After each dip wax is painted over the area where the previous color is to stay. Eventually a complex pattern of lines and colors emerges into a masterpiece.
