All about Easter
Like many Christian festivals, Easter is pagan in origin but, without doubt, it's now the most important date in the Christian calendar. Originally known as Pascha – named after the Hebrew word for Passover, the festival evolved into 'Easter' as we know it now from Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess of springtime and fertility. This celebration of the Resurrection of Christ occurs on each year, albeit on different days and is indeed a movable feast since the Western Christian churches base it on the lunar calendar (the Eastern Christian church uses a different calendar). Using the lunar calendar (as opposed to the solar) means that Easter can occur at any time between the 22nd of March to the 25th of April, inclusive and for 2008, Easter Sunday will fall on the 23rd of March.
Foot-washing
Maundy Thursday is the day on which Jesus washed the feet of the Apostles prior to the Last Supper. This gave rise to the tradition, in the UK, for the Monarch to wash the feet of a selected group of poor people, as well as distributing money for food and clothing, each Maundy Thursday. Joyfully for Queen Elizabeth II, the feet-washing custom died out hundreds of years ago - but the tradition of Maundy Money continues. Each year the Queen distributes special Maundy Money to elderly men and women who have given special Christian service to the Church and local community. Each recipient receives two small leather purses – a red purse containing ordinary coinage (in lieu of food or clothing) and a white purse which contains silver Maundy Money (pretty much unchanged since 1670), one coin for each year of the Sovereign’s age – a tradition which began with Henry IV.
Traditional sweet treats
Easter is a time for further traditions too - especially food. Hot Cross Buns - sweet, spiced and sticky - are traditionally associated with this time of year - the crosses on the bun are made of pastry, representing the cross of Christ. There is also the Simnel Cake – a fruit cake topped with a layer of marzipan and decorated with eleven marzipan balls – one for each Apostle, obviously minus Judas. This cake is also associated with Mothering Sunday.
The Easter egg
For chocolate lovers and especially children it wouldn’t be Easter without Easter eggs – although the Easter bunny and Easter eggs probably derive from pagan fertility symbols. Eggs also were once a luxury particularly denied during Lent, hence receiving a delicious chocolate egg on Easter Sunday was an ideal way to celebrate the joyous occasion of the Resurrection. In certain parts of the UK there are customs such as rolling painted hard-boiled eggs down a hill, or hiding the eggs in a garden. Of course these days the eggs we give and receive are usually made from chocolate and come in many sizes and packaging – and not aimed just at children but at all chocolate lovers. To ensure you can enjoy an Easter eggs there are now eggs which are suitable for diabetics or even eggs made from decorated enamel, which may not be recommended for getting your teeth into but would look extremely pretty and last a lot longer – happy Easter!
Flowers at Easter
Flowers have the power to express what can't be said by words. Flowers at Easter indeed have a unique language of their own. There are different types of flowers for every occasion and they beautifully express every sentiment – check the flowers for Easter which we have selected. It seems even the ‘experts’ can’t agree on the "true meaning" of each flower but it can't be denied that each one of them have their unique appeal. When it comes to Easter, there is no matching the magnificence of lilies, which enjoy a special place in Easter decorations and celebrations. Lilies are, in fact, one of the most famous icons of Easter.
Meanings
-Azalea -Take Care of Yourself for Me, Temperance, Fragile Passion, Chinese symbol of motherhood
-Begonia -Beware
-Chrysanthemum (general) -You're a Wonderful Friend, Cheerfulness and Rest
-Chrysanthemum (white) -Truth
-Chrysanthemum (yellow)- Slighted Love
-Daffodil- Regard, Unreciprocated Love, You're the Only One, The Sun is Always Shining when I'm with You
-Hyacinth (purple)- I am Sorry, Please Forgive Me, Sorrow
-Hyacinth (red or pink)- Play
-Lily (white)- Virginity, Purity, Majesty, its Heavenly to be with you
-Lily (yellow)- I'm walking on Air, False and Gay
-Tulip (general)- Perfect Lover, Frame, Flower Emblem of Holland
-Tulip (red)- Betextlieve Me, Declaration of Love
-Tulip (variegated)- Beautiful Eyes
-Tulip (yellow)- There's Sunshine in Your Smile