With Easter being this Sunday, it is a great time to reflect on the origins and evolution of this springtime holiday. While it is widely celebrated with colorful eggs, chocolate treats, and the iconic Easter Bunny, Easter’s beginnings are deeply rooted in Christian tradition. Over time, religious observances have blended with older customs and modern festivities, creating the diverse and lively holiday we recognize today.
While Easter is now a spring holiday celebrated by many, it does have many origins in the Christian faith.
It commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, which Christians believe happened three days after his crucifixion. This event represents hope, renewal, and the promise of eternal life—central themes in Christian theology. Easter also marks the end of the Passion of Christ, which includes the key events leading up to Jesus’s death and resurrection.
This solemn period, known as Lent, spans 40 days and is often observed through fasting, prayer, and personal sacrifice. It begins on Ash Wednesday and concludes with Holy Week, which includes Good Friday, the day Jesus was crucified, and culminates in Easter Sunday. Many Christians attend church services during this time, especially on Good Friday and Easter Sunday, to honor the spiritual significance of these events.
Unlike fixed-date holidays, Easter moves around on the calendar each year.
It is always celebrated on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25, with the exact date determined by the lunar calendar. Specifically, Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. In 2025, that date lands on April 20.
Although Easter is primarily a religious holiday, many of its customs come from older, non-Christian traditions. Long before Christianity spread, ancient pagan cultures held spring festivals celebrating fertility and renewal. Symbols like eggs and rabbits, both associated with new life, were commonly featured in these festivals.
Decorating eggs, for example, is a tradition that goes back centuries.
In pre-Christian times, eggs were seen as symbols of rebirth and the changing of the seasons. As Christianity expanded, the egg became a fitting metaphor for the resurrection of Christ, and the act of painting and hiding eggs became part of Easter celebrations.
The Easter Bunny, now a central figure in many family traditions, also has roots in pagan folklore.
Rabbits have long symbolized fertility and were associated with springtime rituals. The version we know today, an anthropomorphic bunny that delivers eggs and sweets to children, likely developed from European traditions brought to America by German immigrants. Over time, this character became Easter’s playful counterpart to Santa Claus, delighting kids and adding whimsy to the holiday.
Today, Easter is celebrated in various ways around the world. For some, it is a sacred occasion centered on faith and worship. For others, it is a cheerful holiday marked by family gatherings, egg hunts, and sweet treats. Whether observed for its spiritual meaning or as a festive celebration of spring, Easter remains a cherished time for renewal, reflection, and joy.
