Easter bunnies and chocolate fancies

[cacian]

Easter celebrations is upon us and so wondered about how many of us celebrate it. It is a religious festival but I am not sure of its significance in different countries.
In England it is usually a chocolaty egg hunt for the kiddies followed by a family lunch for the family.
But I am not so sure what the rest of the world does.

How do you celebrate?

oh one more question:

Do rabbits lay eggs? I am sure they do not I might be wrong.

[*Classic*Charm*]

Rabbits do not lay eggs.

[cacian]

Rabbits do not lay eggs.

Ah thank you. So what is about easter bunnie eggs?
Or was it taken from a children story? I am not sure:)

[Lokasenna]

Bluff old traditionalist that I am, I sacrifice a boar to Éostre before taking part in a mass ritual orgy.

[cacian]

Bluff old traditionalist that I am, I sacrifice a boar to Éostre before taking part in a mass ritual orgy.

Hi Loka a boar sounds lavish. What is a ritual orgy usually comprises of? I have never been to one :p

[qimissung]

Hey, good to see you around, Classic Charm! No, bunnies do not lay eggs, but the tradition of a rabbit bringing eggs to children at Easter has been around since the 1600"s. Who knew? Rabbits and eggs were both associated with fertility, and by association, then spring, when plants seem to come back to life. Also, rabbits, specifically the hare, were associated with the Virgin Mary because they were believed to be hermaphrodites, thus the idea that they could reproduce without loss of virginity.

[cafolini]

hopy-hopy
eggy-eggy
give a banquet
to my belly

[cacian]

Hey, good to see you around, Classic Charm! No, bunnies do not lay eggs, but the tradition of a rabbit bringing eggs to children at Easter has been around since the 1600"s. Who knew? Rabbits and eggs were both associated with fertility, and by association, then spring, when plants seem to come back to life. Also, rabbits, specifically the hare, were associated with the Virgin Mary because they were believed to be hermaphrodites, thus the idea that they could reproduce without loss of virginity.

A hare and the virgin Mary. Isn't there a twist there with Alice, in Wonderland, when she falls through the rabbit/hare hole? Alice being a young girl suggesting virginity? It is also interesting therefore upon her return back to real life she turns the hand of marriage being offered to her?
Still suggesting virginity there. ALso this reminds the Virgin Queen Elizabeth. Isn't this when the easter tradition started or there abouts?


hopy-hopy
eggy-eggy
give a banquet
to my belly

a chocolate banquet? isn't there a fountain for that?

[qimissung]

According to Wikipedia, the first mention of it is around 1682. It seemed to have European roots. You can read the entry here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Bunny

And in 1610 Pope Paul proclaimed this prayer:



Bless, O Lord! we beseech thee, this thy creature of eggs, that it may become a wholesome sustenance to thy faithful servants, eating it in thankfulness to thee on account of the resurrection of the Lord.[8][9]

Early Christians stained the eggs red in memory of the blood of Christ. So bunnies and eggs go back a long way as a symbol of this holiday. You can read about Easter eggs on Wikipedia, also:


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg


Decorating eggs has a really long tradition, too. In the Ukraine they used a wax-resist method. And don't forget Faberge's eggs.

[Buckthorn]

Similarly Wiki also gives a reason for Easter eggs being symbolic of the empty tomb of Jesus and the resurrection: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_egg

Personally for us its about spending time with family & eating lots of chocolate eggs

[hannah_arendt]

I live in Poland so I send you interesting article about Easter here:

http://goeasteurope.about.com/od/poland/a/easterinpoland.htm

[cacian]

qimissung and Backthornthank you both for the links.
Hannah I enjoyed about the easter holiday in Poland it sounds a lot of fun:
In this paragraph

Easter Monday is a family holiday in Poland and is called Smigus Dyngus (also called Smingus-Dyngus), or Wet Monday, after the practice of men and boys pouring water on women and girls. However, the tradition isn't necessarily limited to males pouring water on females - the roles are often reversed. Regional variations of the tradition are also known to occur, and a woman's married status may protect her from being doused with water. However, it is best to assume that on this day, no one is safe from the Smigus Dyngus tradition!
Pisanki are Easter eggs from Poland, handcrafted in traditional designs that recall pagan symbols of fertility and spring.


I enjoyed learning Smigus Dyngus and Pisanki. Great words to learn so thank you for that!

Presumably the pouring of water is a bit like a communion type of tradition.
Pisanki sound a lot of sun. I have seen neighbours of mine from Poland taking a basket of handcrafted eggs to their church. It was really impressive :)
I have a friend of mine American originally his parents from Romania and his tradition is to bake an impressive bread with incredible decoration and it is tasty too.

[hannah_arendt]

Śmigus Dyngus (it should be written in this way) is a tradition connected with a rural folklore. However, sometimes young people practice it in bigger cities too. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous when somebody throws a bottle with water from the 10 th floor foir example.

If you want to I can try to teach you more words:)

Germans also have very interesting traditions. However we have practiced, with my father`s step- father, only a game in which you hit the eggs.

[cacian]

Śmigus Dyngus (it should be written in this way) is a tradition connected with a rural folklore. However, sometimes young people practice it in bigger cities too. Unfortunately, it can be dangerous when somebody throws a bottle with water from the 10 th floor foir example.

If you want to I can try to teach you more words:)

Germans also have very interesting traditions. However we have practiced, with my father`s step- father, only a game in which you hit the eggs.
Hitting the egg is german? what do you hit the egg with?
and does it have to be a real egg or just an artisaned one?
I do agree about bottles being thrown out from the 10th haha it is not safe.
I had imagined one using hose instead LOL

Oh yes indeed I would like to learn few more.
What are the words for:
friend
bread
wine
conversation
Thank you :)

[PeterL]

Today is it.
Happy Easter.

[Adolescent09]

All I know is that the South Park episode where Kyle stabs Jesus in the neck and he flounders about like a dying fish with blood spewing from his neck, only to lay sprawled out and die, with his halo ricocheting off the brick-laden ground...

is quite lame :\

[cacian]

All I know is that the South Park episode where Kyle stabs Jesus in the neck and he flounders about like a dying fish with blood spewing from his neck, only to lay sprawled out and die, with his halo ricocheting off the brick-laden ground...

is quite lame :\

And a what is a cartoon but to serve as the gore to all means. Laughing it out perfectly stabilises for at least a wee bit. Who knows what may come rattling down from it. I have to admit I find South Park to be the melting put of celebrity tattering a stab and a lark type of uppering.
At least in this episode Jesus is shown not to have been crucified. It is perhaps telling of its truth. I have always believed Jesus was anything but crucified. Go figure . May be this little tale albeit gory does Jesus true justice.

[Paulclem]

And a what is a cartoon but to serve as the gore to all means. Laughing it out perfectly stabilises for at least a wee bit. Who knows what may come rattling down from it. I have to admit I find South Park to be the melting put of celebrity tattering a stab and a lark type of uppering.
At least in this episode Jesus is shown not to have been crucified. It is perhaps telling of its truth. I have always believed Jesus was anything but crucified. Go figure . May be this little tale albeit gory does Jesus true justice.

But what would Easter be without crucifixion?

[cacian]

But what would Easter be without crucifixion?

Yes indeed. May be a celebration could be turned on its head. Like let's only celebrate the return of the messiah without the gory bit.
It will bring a change and estimate the good from the bad. Just an idea ;)

[cafolini]

With so much chocolate around and increasing exponentially, the guy will take less time to spring from lightning for the sweet supper. LOL

[Helga]

Here on the ice kids get at least one sometimes a lot more of these lovely chocolate eggs. In our case though they aren't small like an egg from a hen but from 500 gr to more than a kilo and even two and filled with candy and an old proverb. We hide them too. My dad used to hide them and have notes for us to trace them all around the house.

I am very lucky though cause my son asks for a paper egg before every Easter so it's a lot less candy for him and one Lego bag.

[Paulclem]

Yes indeed. May be a celebration could be turned on its head. Like let's only celebrate the return of the messiah without the gory bit.
It will bring a change and estimate the good from the bad. Just an idea ;)

Perhaps you'd better ask the Christians about that. The new Pope might lend you an ear.

[cacian]

Perhaps you'd better ask the Christians about that. The new Pope might lend you an ear.

LOL and how about that for a piece of advice hey haha ;)

[cacian]

With so much chocolate around and increasing exponentially, the guy will take less time to spring from lightning for the sweet supper. LOL

LOL it is better to spring then none.

[hannah_arendt]

Hitting the egg is german? what do you hit the egg with?
and does it have to be a real egg or just an artisaned one?
I do agree about bottles being thrown out from the 10th haha it is not safe.
I had imagined one using hose instead LOL

Oh yes indeed I would like to learn few more.
What are the words for:
friend
bread
wine
conversation
Thank you :)

You hit an egg with other egg.

friend- przyjaciel
bread- chleb
wine- wino
conversation- rozmowa


You`re welcome:)

[YesNo]

Śmigus Dyngus (it should be written in this way) is a tradition connected with a rural folklore.


This is the first time I've heard of Easter Monday: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Monday

Why the water?

[JuniperWoolf]

For the first time in my life I live in an area where spring officially starts during a time when it is actually warm and flowers are popping up and eggs are hatching and such. It's great, having a fertility festival during the dead of winter was a bit stupid.


I am very lucky though cause my son asks for a paper egg before every Easter so it's a lot less candy for him and one Lego bag.

When I was a kid I used to get books for easter, and some snackey kind of treats like chocolate eggs too, all artfully laid out on the table with fake grass and rabbits and stuff. I really miss that.


Why the water?

It's probably for spiritual purification purposes. A lot of religions engage in cleaning rituals around spring, to help clear out the dead sort of dusty, grimy, shut-in accumulation of winter living. The dousing with holy water is, I'm guessing, a kind of "spring cleaning" for the soul.

[cacian]

This is the first time I've heard of Easter Monday: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Monday

Why the water?

I would say water to symbolise baptism maybe. :)

[cacian]

You hit an egg with other egg.

friend- przyjaciel
bread- chleb
wine- wino
conversation- rozmowa


You`re welcome:)

Hannah thank you. I am not sure how to pronounce friend/przyjaciel. Haha. :)

[hannah_arendt]

Hannah thank you. I am not sure how to pronounce friend/przyjaciel. Haha. :)

Everything is possible:)

[hannah_arendt]

This is the first time I've heard of Easter Monday: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Monday

Why the water?

Water is a symbol of a purification.

[hannah_arendt]

Hannah thank you. I am not sure how to pronounce friend/przyjaciel. Haha. :)

Have you ever learnt French or Italian ?

[cacian]

Have you ever learnt French or Italian ?

I speak French and Spanish if that helps at all?
how would spell przyjaciel in phonetics?

[YesNo]

Water is a symbol of a purification.

Do people actually do this in Poland today? How is the dowsing with water done?

[hannah_arendt]

Do people actually do this in Poland today? How is the dowsing with water done?

It is practiced by children adn teenagers. It is n`t very common in big cities.

[hannah_arendt]

I speak French and Spanish if that helps at all?
how would spell przyjaciel in phonetics?

You have it here:http://pl.forvo.com/word/przyjaciel/#pl

[*Classic*Charm*]

I was told today that Easter dates back to the Babylonians, for whom it was a festival to worship Ishtar, the goddess of fertility. Hence using rabbits and eggs as symbols.

[cacian]

I was told today that Easter dates back to the Babylonians, for whom it was a festival to worship Ishtar, the goddess of fertility. Hence using rabbits and eggs as symbols.

Ishtar I have never heard of and thank you for posting I shall have a look.
The combination of rabbits and eggs did not make sense to me because rabbits do not lay eggs and so I wondered why at first.