Christine O’Keeffe’s Easter Egg Page

Easter - History - Customs - May Day - Legends - Games - Rings - E-Cards

The egg is one of the oldest Springtime symbols in the world. Ancient Persians, Phoenicians, Hindus and Egyptians believed the world began with an egg. A legend says a great egg broke in half forming the earth and sky with the yolk as the sun.

Eggs were given as gifts in ancient China, Greece and Rome. The Celts worshipped serpents eggs that stood for eternal life. As Christianity appeared the egg became the symbol of Christ’s resurrection from the tomb. Now people decorate eggs of all types and they can be encrusted with gold, silver, and precious stones.

Edna Barth, Lilies, Rabbits and Painted Eggs: The Story of the Easter Symbols, pgs. 7, New York, NY: Seabury Press, © 1970