Topic for April 2 (Tue)

[Kristin55]

Rabbits and Eggs: Traditions of Easter and Spring

Easter is a spring festival celebrated in many countries around the world in either March or April.

It's a religious celebration that is very important for Christians, who believe that Jesus died, but came back to life on Easter Sunday.

However, many popular Easter traditions — like eggs, rabbits and chocolates — and even the name "Easter" are not obviously religious. What does it all mean?

The name "Easter" itself isn't even Christian. Experts say the name comes from an old Germanic word meaning "dawn," and the eighth century historian Bede wrote that the name came from a goddess called Eostre, who may have been a goddess of spring.

Many popular Easter customs involve eggs. People decorate eggs in bright colors and give them as gifts, children enjoy Easter egg hunts, and in Germany they even have Easter trees that are decorated with colorful eggs.

Why eggs? Well, for many ancient cultures, eggs were a symbol of new life and new beginnings, associated with spring. Chocolate eggs are now a popular Easter gift, but this is a modern tradition introduced in Europe in the 19th century.

Another tradition is the Easter Bunny, a rabbit who brings colored eggs for children to find on Easter morning egg hunts.

Rabbits may have become a symbol of Easter simply because these animals have lots of babies in the spring. However, in Germany — where this tradition comes from — the animal that brought the eggs wasn't always a rabbit. Sometimes it was a bird or a fox.

Other countries have unique Easter traditions. In Finland, children dress as witches and visit people's houses asking for sweets. In Poland, on the day after Easter, boys throw water over the girls they like. And in the town of Bessières in France, people cook a giant omelet made of 15,000 eggs!

1. How is Easter celebrated in your country?

2. Are there any Christian holidays that are celebrated in your country?

3. Does your culture have any spring festivals or holidays?

4. What are your country's most important holidays? What do you know about their history or origins?

5. What are some of your favorite holiday traditions?

What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of spring?

6. What are your favorite things about spring?

7. What is the weather usually like where you live in spring?

8. What dishes or foods are associated with spring in your country?

9. What animals are associated with spring in your country?

https://engoo.co.kr/app/daily-news/article/rabbits-and-eggs-traditions-of-easter-and-spring/xjW5RrlfEe6tkDO6arEzfw