What is Eostre?

Once again I start another blog post with before Christianity there was an ancient tradition celebrated by our ancestors. As you can imagine this is how many conversations start in our house. Easter is one of the most significant religious celebrations in the Christian calendar, its roots can be traced back thousands of years. The holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it is observed by Christians all over the world. In this post we will dive into the history of Easter and explore its origins. Its origins can be traced back to Pagan traditions and festivals that celebrated the coming of spring. In ancient times, people celebrated the arrival of spring, which represented new beginnings, fertility, and the return of life to the earth. One of the most famous pagan festivals that celebrated the arrival of spring was the festival of Eostre, which was celebrated by the Germanic people. The festival of Eostre was named after the Germanic goddess of fertility, Eostre, who was also associated with the dawn and the rising sun. During the festival, people would decorate eggs and exchange them as gifts, a tradition that has survived to this day. The egg was a symbol of fertility and new life, and it was believed that by exchanging eggs, people were exchanging the potential for new beginnings. One of the most important symbols of Easter is the Easter bunny, which is believed to have originated in Germany in the 16th century. The Easter bunny was originally associated with the festival of Eostre and was a symbol of fertility and new life. The tradition of the Easter bunny was brought to America by German immigrants in the 18th century and has since become a popular part of the Easter celebration. With the advent of Christianity, many pagan traditions were incorporated into the Christian faith. In the fourth century, the Christian church established Easter as a celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The date of Easter was chosen to coincide with the Jewish holiday of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in Egypt. The first recorded instance of Easter being celebrated as a Christian holiday was in the second century. The celebration was originally known as Pascha, which is derived from the Hebrew word Pesach, meaning Passover. The early Christians celebrated Easter as a single day, but over time, the celebration was extended to include the entire week leading up to Easter Sunday, which is now known as Holy Week. In conclusion, the history of Easter is a fascinating tale of the evolution of a holiday from its pagan roots to its incorporation into the Christian faith. From the festival of Eostre to the resurrection of Jesus Christ, Easter has a rich and complex history that has been celebrated for thousands of years. Whether you celebrate Easter as a religious holiday or simply enjoy the traditions associated with the holiday, there is no denying the importance of Easter in our culture and society.