Why Do We Dye Easter Eggs?

Spring brings blooming flowers, warmer days, and Easter celebrations. To mark the occasion, people head to church and organize family gatherings filled with good food and good fun. Specifically, Easter egg hunts. Little girls in their Easter dresses and boys in their Sunday best prowl around the garden or the house looking for hidden treasures.

The history of transforming eggs into brightly colored gems isn't a modern invention, though. In fact, decorating eggs is a practice that dates to before Christianity. The exact moment that Christians started dyeing eggs has been lost to the annals of history, but it's been a part of Easter celebrations for centuries. So why do we dye Easter eggs? Learn the history of this spring tradition.

Decorating Eggs Originated In Ancient Times

Historians believe the practice of decorating eggs occurred in many cultures. Prehistoric ostrich eggs with simple carvings have been found in Africa. Archaeologists also discovered evidence of decorated ostrich eggs in tombs dating back as far as 5,000 years, according to Smithsonian Magazine. The eggs were traded across borders, where Assyrian and Phoenician artists decorated and engraved the eggs with intricate designs.

Historians believe the ancient Persians also painted eggs. In the Zoroastrian tradition, these eggs were placed on altars for the Persian new year, or Nowruz, which is celebrated at the vernal equinox.

"This tradition has ancient roots in Persia and Zoroastrianism, but is now practiced across Eurasia by Persian and Turkic peoples of various faiths," according to the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. "Historically, red was a popular color and red eggs are sometimes prominent in these celebrations today, although altars now may include eggs of all colors. In some regions solid-color eggs have given way to eggs with multicolored decorations."

Historians believe that the Trypillian culture that lived in Central Europe from 4,500 to 3,000 BC dyed eggs, a practice which could have evolved into today's pysanky, or Ukrainian Easter eggs.

Decorating Eggs Is A Christian Tradition

When Christianity spread to Ukraine in the 10th century, the old tradition of drawing on eggs with wax and dye, called pysanky, became associated with the new religion. In the Greek Orthodox tradition, dyed red eggs have marked the occasion since Mary Magdalene went to visit the tomb of Jesus and discovered that he was no longer there and her snack basket of eggs turned bright red. Dyeing the eggs red also symbolizes the blood Jesus shed on the cross.

In the year 1290, England's King Edward I ordered 450 eggs to be colored or covered with gold leaf to be given to the royal relatives and entourage, according to TIME. In the 13th century, villagers would gift eggs to the lords of the manor or to the church. Historians have found evidence that Easter eggs were commonly dyed in the 16th and 17th centuries.

It wasn't until the late 19th century that eggs became treats for children thanks in part to the Victorians, who loved a good family tradition. (It is the Victorians we have to thank for Christmas trees too.) They helped bring the art of dyeing Easter eggs into the modern era and popularized Easter-egg hunts. The White House got in on the fun, hosting the first annual Easter Egg Roll in 1878.

What Is The Significance Of Easter Eggs?

Eggs are a common symbol of fertility, rebirth, and life, so it's not surprising that they have become associated with the Resurrection of Jesus. The egg symbolizes new life emerging from the eggshell, in the same way Jesus rose from the tomb. Some families have incorporated Resurrection eggs into their traditions, placing scenes from the Resurrection in plastic eggs as a way of teaching children about the Easter story.

Historians believe that Lent also played a part in the prominence of Easter eggs. During the Middle Ages, eggs were often prohibited during Lent, a time of fasting. Once the holiday arrived, festively decorated eggs could be enjoyed at Easter celebrations, just as they are today.