By Cindy et Benoit
As Easter approaches, we often hear different stories, sometimes it is the bells that lay the eggs, for some it would be a rabbit. And besides, why do we find chocolate bunnies at Easter?
Many questions around this feast of gluttony. So, Cindy and I thought it would be nice to do a little update while conducting our little investigation and let me tell you: we learned a lot!
A little history
Before being the day when the little Easter bells go by and drop delicious chocolates for our little wolves, Easter is above all one of the most important holidays in Christianity! It is also one of the oldest festivals among Christians. Celebrating the resurrection of Christ, it is celebrated in many countries and sometimes in very different ways!
A bit of spelling
We often see the two spellings “Passover” and “Easter”. But how do you write Easter? And what is the difference between the two spellings?
Passover is a feminine name, it designates the Jewish holiday. We also say “the Passover”. It was in the 15th century that the distinction appeared and marks a difference between Passover (the Jewish holiday) and Easter (the Christian holiday).
What about Easter chocolate?!
In reality, the origin of Easter starts well before all that: in antiquity. Indeed, in Egypt, as well as in Persia, it was customary to offer chicken eggs decorated and painted red at the arrival of spring. The egg symbolizing birth and spring being the season when nature comes back to life after its long winter silence.
It was then that the Christian religion made its appearance: during the period of Lent (40-day fasting period), Christians were not allowed to eat eggs. Despite everything, the hens continued to lay. So rather than ending up with eggs on your hands, it was then customary to decorate them and then offer them.
Inspired by this tradition, the Russian Emperor Nicolas II will even go so far as to encrust golden eggs with precious stones to offer them to his family.
For years, Easter eggs have therefore remained simple decorated and painted eggs.
Time passes and the Easter celebration continues. Gradually, the idea of filling them with chocolates appeared.
Civilization advances, evolves and Easter becomes more and more popular. Know-how and technologies are evolving, chocolate makers are now equipped with molds that allow them to give free rein to their imagination. It then becomes possible to make eggs entirely in chocolate. Finished the round egg, the Easter egg can now be oval, display patterns, it is also decorated and sometimes it even wears a ribbon or it sits proudly on a nest.
Spring passes and tradition gradually gives way to the creativity of chocolate makers, and then other animals make their appearance. Logically, it is the hen who joins the adventure. Over the years, we will find other barnyard animals and even a fish from time to time.
But when do the Easter bells arrive?
Yes, Easter is not just chocolate eggs, it's a whole ritual!
Still in the Christian religion and in order to commemorate the death of Christ, when the last days of Lent come, the church bells are silent for 3 days. Not a single one rings from Maundy Thursday until the eve of Easter.
At the time, children were told that the bells were sent to Rome in order to be blessed by the Pope. When they return, they will ring the bell, scattering delicious Easter eggs collected during their journey that the children will hasten to collect the next day in their garden.
And the Easter Bunny in all this?
The rabbit is an animal that reappears in the fields at the time of spring, it is a symbol of renewal and fertility. It is from Germany that this tradition would come (Osterhase, Easter hare in French).
The origin of the rabbit would come from an old German legend which told that a mother, without many means and unable to offer sweets to her children, decorated eggs which she hid in the garden on Easter Day. When the children went on an “egg hunt” in the garden, they saw a rabbit and thus believed that it was the rabbit who had laid the eggs!
Another origin, also from Germany, would come from the goddess Eostre who was celebrated during the spring equinox. His emblematic animal was none other than the hare! It is also from the name of this goddess that the Easter holidays are called "Easter" in English.
Easter at Essence Box
This year, Easter is synonymous with originality and craftsmanship at Essence Box. We have chosen 100% French products to offer and to have fun. We trusted the Chocodic brand, a French brand that has existed since 1995 and offers chocolates that are as good as they are original.
You will find in our special Easter category small surprise boxes , chocolate game controllers or construction games . And all this at an affordable price!
If you also want to please your children with fun and educational games, don't hesitate to check out our Bioviva games to have a good time with your family.
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