What to do at Easter?
The most representative mascots of Easter are eggs and rabbits. The ancients often regarded eggs as a symbol of many children and grandchildren and resurrection. Later, Christians gave the egg a new meaning, thinking that it was a symbol of Jesus' tomb, from which future life was born. On Easter, people dye eggs red, which represents the blood shed by Jesus when he suffered and the happiness after his resurrection. There is also an old custom of cooking eggs and playing games for street children. They rolled the eggs forward, and finally the person who broke the eggs won, and all the eggs belonged to him.
In fact, apart from Christian religious ceremonies, many customs during Easter originated from paganism. For example, in Britain, an Easter dress parade is held every year, which includes bagpipes from all over the world and Victoria Palace guards dressed up by children. In new york, USA, there will be an Easter fashion parade. In Greece, symbolic funerals of Jesus are held in some places. Eating Easter eggs is the most important and interesting custom during Easter. Eggs are a symbol of new life. In ancient Scandinavia, when celebrating the "Spring Sun Festival", eggs were dyed red to symbolize the sun and pray for a happy life.
Easter arrangements
Starting from "Holy Monday", people began to buy gifts, and the family also decorated the atmosphere of Easter. The shop windows are full of goods. "Easter eggs", "Easter rabbits" and a wide variety of "Easter candles" can be described as colorful, making you feel that spring is coming unconsciously.
The rabbit has now become a symbol of the new Easter. People dress it in bright colors, usually light yellow and light green, so that you can really breathe the breath of spring after watching it. People celebrate Easter in this way, which is a bit like China people's mood to welcome the Spring Festival, full of good expectations for spring and the coming year.
However, it cannot be ignored that in the traditional sense of Easter, the color of religion is far better than people's expectations for spring. Especially in Greece, a devout Orthodox country, apart from businessmen, ordinary people are more concerned about the religious customs that have been followed for thousands of years.
"Holy Thursday" is the day before Jesus' crucifixion, that is, the last day of Jesus' life on earth, and the day of holding the "Last Supper". According to the traditional custom, Greek believers go to the church to attend the memorial ceremony and offer wreaths.
Holy Friday is also called Good Friday. On this day in 30 (or 33) A.D., Jesus was betrayed and crucified. "Holy Friday" is a very strict day during the whole fasting period. Traditional Greeks can't even eat oil. People can't do any work or activities on this day, and they are all immersed in the grief of losing the Lord Jesus.
On the night of "Holy Saturday", believers will go to the church for mass before 12. At midnight, there will be the message "Jesus is resurrected". At this time, people light candles in their hands (the fire that lights candles must be the "holy fire" in the church), and then use their own candles to light the candles of people around them, and at the same time convey the message that "Jesus has risen". In an instant, the ignition lights lit up the streets, hills and bays. There will be firecrackers at this time, which is very lively.
The next morning, it was the climax of Easter. People get up early in the morning, coat the whole sheep strung on iron tongs with seasoning, and then rotate the barbecue with charcoal fire. At noon, the sun is shining and the whole lamb is creaking. A family, old and young, friends and relatives gather around the iron stove to enjoy delicious food and human joy.
What do you usually get at Easter?
Easter eggs: eggs, symbolizing a new life. Since 12 century, people in many European countries have started to give Easter eggs to each other. Eggs symbolize new life. Hard eggshells can't limit the new life bred in them.
Resurrection rabbit: a symbol of the creator of new life. According to the ancient European legend, the rabbit is an animal with its eyes closed all day. The calculation of Easter is based on the full moon in spring, so the rabbit with strong fertility in spring is regarded as the symbol of Easter.
Lily: Lily symbolizes holiness and purity. People like to use lilies blooming in spring and Easter to represent the holiness of Jesus Christ. The lily, shaped like a trumpet, seems to be loudly preaching the good news of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Cross and nail: Remind people that Jesus atoned for the world and was crucified. On Easter, many people will draw Easter-related patterns on boiled eggs. For example: crosses, nails, lilies, rabbits, etc. And then exchange them to remind Jesus of his resurrection.
In some western countries, there will be grand religious parades. Believers dressed in robes, with crosses in their hands, walked barefoot in the streets, dressed as celebrities in Christian history, and then sang together to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.