While all holidays have their own special significance and traditions, no other holidays foods hold so much symbolic meaning as Easter. The meanings behind Easter foods have evolved out of two celebrations. The first is the original pagan celebration that marked the changing of the seasons and the renewal of life in spring. While the second is the present-day Christian festival of Easter that honors the resurrection of Christ.

Eggs

Since ancient times, eggs have been a symbol of fertility and new beginnings. So it makes sense that Christians would also use them to represent Christ's resurrection. Although, the tradition of dying eggs in bright colors goes back to the Middle Ages, when it was done to represent the sunlight of spring.

Today, eggs take center stage at many Easter brunches in the form of casserole dishes such as Quiche Lorraine, and, of course, as the traditional Deviled Eggs, made after the morning Easter egg hunt.

Rabbit

Current Easter celebrations are not complete without a visit from the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny as we know it has German roots. German children believed a magical rabbit would leave them a nest of colored eggs if they were well behaved. Pennsylvania Dutch settlers later brought this tradition to America in the 1700s.

Today people not only adore the Easter Bunny but also enjoy chocolates in bunny shapes at Easter time. And like the egg, the rabbit, known for its fertility, has been a symbol of new life since ancient times.

Easter Bread and Hot Cross Buns

Bread is seen as a metaphor for the resurrection of Christ in that the flour comes to life and transforms itself to bread. Many cultures bake special breads at Easter that are rich with eggs and butter and decorated with fruits and nuts.

Hot cross buns, specifically, have long been associated with spring. First-century pagans worshiped Eostre, the goddess of fertility and springtime and after whom Easter was named, and served her small cakes decorated with a cross at their yearly spring celebration.

Nowadays, hot cross buns are decorated with a sweet icing in the shape of a cross to symbolize Christ's crucifixion. And sweet breads and cakes of all kinds, like this Mocha Marble Pound Cake, adorn many Easter tables.

Lamb and Ham

Easter dinner usually centers on lamb or ham in dishes such as Basil Leg of Lamb or Baked Ham with Apricot Glaze. The lamb was adopted from the lamb sacrificed at Jewish Passover, and for Christians, it signifies Christ's death on the cross. While the pig has always been a symbol of good luck and prosperity. In fact, the first recorded public blessing of Easter ham occurred in the tenth century.

Source: Kroger