Why do we dye eggs and then play egg tapping on Easter
All our lives we dye eggs for Easter and rarely do we stop to think — why? All about this interesting Easter tradition was reported by SSPDaily.
Why the egg is a symbol of Easter
Since ancient times, the egg has symbolized life, the awakening of spring, and fertility. Our ancestors also associated it with the Sun because of its rounded shape. Naturally, the egg brought joy and warmth to all living things.
What other symbols do eggs carry on Easter?
- An egg can symbolize the Resurrection of Christ - when it is peeled from the shell, it seems as if the renewed world saved by Jesus Christ emerges from it.
- Additionally, the shape of the egg resembles the moment of Jesus' ascension to heaven in a divine glow.
The tradition of dyeing eggs and decorating them with various symbolic designs is very popular in Ukraine. Such eggs are called pysanky, krasanky, krapanky, depending on the method of coloring. Traditionally, Easter morning begins with these eggs.
Why did the tradition of egg tapping appear?
At first glance, the tradition of coloring eggs and then tapping them against each other may seem unusual. But it has several explanations:
- This custom symbolizes the fight between good and evil. Since ancient times, the strongest egg that "beat" all the others in the family was considered a talisman. It was kept for a long time and was the last to be broken.
- In the old days, it was considered improper to kiss in public to congratulate someone on the holiday, so believers quickly came up with a symbolic way to "kiss" three times using Easter eggs, by tapping them against each other.
- There is a version that the egg is associated with the stone that covered the entrance to the cave where the body of Jesus Christ lay. Therefore, breaking the shell helps to "free" it.
Our ancestors believed that the more eggs you tap on Easter, the easier and faster the Son of God will rise again.
