The Easter Store
This Page was Updated June 16, 2010

Here you will find Easter costumes, accessories, gifts and decor that can be used in your Easter celebrations.

The Origins and Symbols of Easter

Eastre (earlier, Eostre, derived from the Saxons' Germanic heritage) was the Anglo-Saxon name of a Teutonic goddess of dawn, spring and fertility. Our word, "east" is related to this deity's name. Her male consort was the Sun god, and the sun does rise, after all, at dawn and in the east. Rites of spring were celebrated in her honor at the vernal equinox (first day of spring). The first Sunday after the first full moon succeeding the vernal equinox was also sacred to her, and this pagan holiday was given her name -- Eastre. The full moon represented the "pregnant" phase of Eastre -- she was passing into the fertile season and giving birth to the Sun's offspring.

Eastre's symbols were the hare and the egg. Both represent fertility and, consequently, rebirth. Since rabbits are more common in most lands than hares, over time the rabbit has been substituted -- not without merit, since rabbits are notorious for their fertility. Thus was born the "Easter Rabbit" tradition.

The Easter Bunny as an Easter symbol bringing Easter eggs seems to have its origins in Alsace and the Upper Rhineland, both then in the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation, and southwestern Germany, where it was first recorded in a German publication in the early 1600s. The first edible Easter Bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s and were made of pastry and sugar.

Eggs, like rabbits and hares, are fertility symbols of extreme antiquity. Since birds lay eggs and rabbits and hares give birth to large litters in the early spring, these became symbols of the rising fertility of the earth at the Vernal Equinox.

Later, the new Christian religion, with its emphasis on rebirth (through the Resurrection), found it expedient to continue celebrating Eastre's holiday. The focus simply switched to Christ -- and the spelling, eventually, to "Easter."

Eggs: 

For many years people have used eggs to symbolize rebirth and abundant life. Throughout Europe it has been customary to give colored eggs to friends and family at Easter. Christians were forbidden to eat eggs during Lent. They were brought out in splendor on Easter Sunday. They had, in the early centuries of Christianity, been associated with the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Flowers: 

The Easter Lily has long been a symbol of the new of life of Jesus. By itself, it stands as a Resurrection symbol and is often depicted in works of art as such. The Lily reminds us that all the events of Jesus' life point to His death and resurrection.

Flowers such as daffodils, narcissus' and the tulip are symbols of Easter because they bloom in the Spring - usually during the Easter season.

Pussy Willows are picked at Easter in England and Russia. People tap each other on the shoulders with a branch of the pussy willow for good luck.