For as far back as time has been recorded, the history of easter eggs has stood for secrecy, illusion, medication, cuisine and prophecy. If your beliefs lie with Christianity, it is a common representation of Easter. Throughout Easter festivities easter eggs have been colored, dyed, decorated and overstated as a form of symbolism for Christianity.
Before the egg became Easter tradition, it was associated with pagan rituals during the rite of Spring festivals. It was a symbol of the universe for the Romans, Gauls, Chinese, Egyptians, Persians and others. From ancient times down to modern day, the egg has been dyed, painted and exchanged.
The History of Easter Eggs the Polish Way
There are two old Polish legends which blend folklore and Christian beliefs during the Easter celebration. The first tells a story of the Virgin Mary. Mary is said to have given eggs to the soldiers at the cross. She asked for them to be less cruel and wept. It is said that the tears of Mary fell onto the eggs, spotting them with dots in brilliant colors.
Another Polish myth that is worth looking at when trying to piece together the history of easter eggs. This one involves another Mary, Mary Magdalen as a matter of fact. It transcribes into a story of another historical event that could help us explain the history of easter eggs and why we color them and exchange them like we do. This legend says that Mary Magdalen went to the sepulcher to anoint the body of Jesus. Mary took a basket of eggs with her as a snack. It is said that when she arrived at the sepulcher, she uncovered the eggs to discover that the outer layers of the eggs were replaced with a fantastic array of colors.
English Traditions
Decorating and coloring of Easter eggs was already a custom in England during the middle ages. The records for the house of Edward I, in the year 1290, have listed an expense for 450 eggs to be gold-leafed and colored as Easter gifts.
Faberge and Russia’s Contribution to the History of Easter Eggs
We’ve all heard of Faberge eggs and know that they are very exclusive and highly sought after today. But you may not have known that these rare eggs actually shaped the history of easter eggs as we know it today. Faberge eggs actually come from the infamous goldsmith Peter Carl Faberge. The Russian Czar, in 1883, commissioned Peter Faberge to create a special Easter gift for the Empress Marie to add to her collection of fine jewellery.
Even Faberge’s first egg was a modern marvel in design and construction for its time. It was an egg within an egg with an outer shell of platinum and white enamel. When the outer egg was opened, it revealed a smaller golden egg. The smaller egg when opened, revealed a chicken and the Imperial crown in replica. Just like anyone today, the Empress instantly fell in love with the eggs and began collecting them.
When the Czar saw Faberge’s eggs he instantly fell in love with it (and who could blame him) and immediately ordered Faberge to create more and deliver them to the Empress every Easter. This custom was continued by the Czar’s son Nicholas II and enabled the creating of 57 specialized Easter eggs. This delivery of eggs at Easter time was quickly adopted and continues today to shape the history of easter eggs.
Because of the special treatment given to decorated eggs at Easter, it became practice to seek out these special eggs. This is how the traditional Easter egg hunt began. This is also why eggs hidden during the celebration are colorful and sometimes decorated and filled with gifts.
