Seattle Twist

Easter is purportedly Christianity’s oldest holiday, the day when Christ was resurrected three days after his crucifixion. In connection, Easter is also associated with the end of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and repentance which, in modern times, has become associated with the relinquishing of something in one’s life that one considers indulgent or ‘bad’, as in a particular habit.

Originally observed every Sunday, Easter has since evolved over the years to be observed once a year (Easter Sunday), as well as has been supplemented with customs that have today become traditional, practically symbolic, despite the Christian origin and meaning: the Easter Bunny bringing baskets lined with grass and filled with jellybeans, bright coloured eggs, chocolates, marshmallow candies, and other sweets; as well as the tradition of dying and hiding eggs for an ‘Easter Egg Hunt’. These modern day customs are not simply whimsical or frivolous. There is a relevant connection and meaning to Easter’s past, Christian or otherwise; and that meaning is birth, or re-birth.

Is it a coincidence that such an important event – the crucifixion and ultimate resurrection of Christ – happened in spring, when nature is literally at a time of birth and re-birth? I don’t know. But given the story of Christ’s resurrection, combined with other facts and speculations from history, including non-Christian religions and cultures, and at the time of year in which it occurs, it is, by all means, ironic, to say the least.

For example, long before Christianity, early humans in various cultures recognised the link between the cycles of women and the birth of their children with the cycles of the moon (evidently pointing to springtime). In the oldest records from civilised Asia, the hare was the symbol of the moon. So it was that – at least in Asia, and no doubt the belief emigrating westward – the moon and the hare (rabbit) became recognised as the symbol of rebirth or life after death (resurrection). This is purportedly the earliest connection to the modern day Easter Bunny. The Ancient Egyptians also recognised the hare as a symbol of fertility and renewal. From the Ancient Egyptians this belief soon became the belief of the Greeks, then the Romans, who, undoubtedly – through conquest – spread the belief throughout Europe.

But what of the Celts? The Celts celebrated the festival of Eostre (Ashtoreth) – a goddess of the spring, dawn, birth, and rebirth (a Druid translation of Ashtoreth is the Gaelic ‘Eostre’). Celtic Eastre’s symbol was the hare (rabbit), a symbol of new life and fertility. (Does the expression ‘Breeding like Rabbits’ ring a bell?) Is it from this ancient Celtic celebration that the modern day Easter, with its association to the rabbit, etc. may have evolved? Being of Celtic background, education, and persuasion, in my opinion, yes. But some historians will disagree. I should say, however, that should the Celtic celebration of Eastre be considered as an influential ceremony, pre or otherwise, to the accepted modern-day Christian Easter, I believe the two are completely unrelated, despite some ironic similarities; but that through such similarities, as well as the combination of each holiday’s customs and symbolic relations, the modern day holiday of ‘Easter’ we all acknowledge was formed.

More to come…!