The tradition of Easter eggs has roots in both ancient pagan rituals and Christian beliefs.
Ancient cultures, such as those of the Egyptians, Persians, and Greeks, used to exchange decorated eggs as symbols of fertility and new life during their spring festivals. These eggs were often colored using natural dyes derived from plants and herbs.
With the spread of Christianity, the egg took on new significance as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Early Christians in Mesopotamia dyed eggs red to symbolize the blood of Christ shed on the cross.
Over time, the tradition of decorating eggs for Easter evolved, and different cultures developed their own unique practices. In medieval Europe, eggs were often forbidden during the Lenten season, so they were decorated and consumed as a special treat on Easter Sunday.
In the 19th century, the tradition of Easter egg hunts became popular, especially in Western countries. This practice likely originated from German immigrants who brought the custom of an “Osterhase” (Easter hare or bunny), who would lay eggs for children to find. Eventually, the tradition merged with the Easter celebration as we know it today.
Today, Easter eggs remain an integral part of Easter celebrations in many parts of the world, symbolizing rebirth, renewal, and the hope of eternal life.
Stephen is a hospitality professional from Johannesburg South Africa. His career started with THF hotels in the UK and subsequently with the Southern Sun Hotel group in Johannesburg. Stephen’s first steps into entrepreneurship was Hickmore Recruitment / CareerMap, a leading supplier of Senior and Exec recruitment services. Stephen was a founder of Pple Hospitality (formerly HSC) the largest Hospitality Industry full-service outsourced staffing company in South Africa. In March 2020 Stephen became a director and owner of the Swiss Hotel School South Africa, which is now his full time endeavour. Stephen writes for a number of publications on food and hospitality industry matters, trends and opinions.
