Yesterday was Easter, an important holiday in Christendom. However, the name Easter pre-dates Christianity and is the name of an ancient goddess. Originally, Easter was a spring festival celebrated on the vernal equinox. Easter is a time of fertility and anticipation of new life. The goddess Easter took the form of a rabbit or hare and distributed eggs which represented fertility. Chicks hatch from eggs and represent new life.
Nowadays, Christians celebrate a holy day (holiday) around the time of Easter and the two festivals have combined. We can still see rabbits (the Easter Bunny), eggs and chicks used as symbols and decorations of Easter. In England, children are given chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday. In Spain, people eat a special sweet bread containing coloured eggs.
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