Easter is one of the most holy days in the Christian religion. For the western world, the holiday falls on this coming Sunday, March 31, but the Orthodox will celebrate it on May 5 this year. Bulgarians call the day Velikden, or “Great Day.” Rituals and beliefs about eggs are prominent on Easter. In particular, red eggs play an important role. For Christians, the red egg symbolizes Christ’s blood, but the egg also has pagan origins. From ancient times, the egg has been a symbol of birth, resurrection, and eternal life—life and death—with a belief that the world was born from the golden egg, that is, the sun. The parts of the egg represent the four elements. The shell is symbolic of earth, the membrane represents air, the liquid is water, and the yellow yoke is the sun and therefore fire.
Magical Red Easter Eggs
Magical Red Easter Eggs
Magical Red Easter Eggs
Easter is one of the most holy days in the Christian religion. For the western world, the holiday falls on this coming Sunday, March 31, but the Orthodox will celebrate it on May 5 this year. Bulgarians call the day Velikden, or “Great Day.” Rituals and beliefs about eggs are prominent on Easter. In particular, red eggs play an important role. For Christians, the red egg symbolizes Christ’s blood, but the egg also has pagan origins. From ancient times, the egg has been a symbol of birth, resurrection, and eternal life—life and death—with a belief that the world was born from the golden egg, that is, the sun. The parts of the egg represent the four elements. The shell is symbolic of earth, the membrane represents air, the liquid is water, and the yellow yoke is the sun and therefore fire.