To Christians, Easter is much more than Easter bunnies and eggs: it is the most significant day in the year as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. While Jesus should always be the focal point of Easter, many of these more commercial elements of Easter can symbolize parts of the Easter story. While they may have had different meanings at other times in history, now they help us remember our new lives in Christ.
To Christians, Easter is much more than Easter bunnies and eggs: it is the most significant day in the year as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. While Jesus should always be the focal point of Easter, many of these more commercial elements of Easter can symbolize parts of the Easter story. While they may have had different meanings at other times in history, now they help us remember our new lives in Christ.
Rabbits
The rabbit was a symbol of fertility in ancient times. Now, rabbits represent the abundant new life available to us through Jesus.
Eggs and chicks
Eggs appear lifeless, but life is inside an egg and can break forth, just as Jesus did in the tomb. The egg itself can also represent the stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb.
The first Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring. One legend theories that Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross for him, was an egg merchant. When he retrieved his basket of eggs after carrying the cross, he found that all the eggs were miraculously colored and decorated.
Chicks are also symbols of new life and re-birth.
Butterflies
As a caterpillar forms a chrysalis, it appears to be dead and lifeless. However, it then emerges as a beautiful butterfly, symbolizing the Easter cycle of life – death – resurrection. In the same way, Jesus was dead in the tomb but emerged victorious to give eternal life to all believers.
A fun family activity before Easter is to raise butterflies. You can purchase caterpillars and supplies at Insectlore.com. If you time the purchase right, you will have live butterflies to release on Easter morning.
Lambs
In Judaism, lambs were one of the animals that could be sacrificed to atone for sins. Jesus is called the Lamb of God and lambs represent Jesus’ sacrifice for us.
Flowers
Many flowers are special symbols of Easter, representing new life as they bloom in the spring. Lilies are especially significant at Easter. As lilies grow from a bulb that appears dead, Christians remember how Jesus came back to life. White lilies, in particular, represent the purity of Jesus.
New hats and clothes
Wearing new hats and clothes at Easter is more than just a fashion statement. They also symbolize our new life in Christ, as we shed the old and welcome the new.
What are common symbols of Easter and their meanings?
Table of Contents
The article explains several Easter symbols through a Christian lens: rabbits can point to abundant new life, eggs and chicks to life breaking forth, butterflies to the cycle of life, death, and resurrection, lambs to Jesus as the Lamb of God, lilies to new life and purity, and new clothes to new life in Christ.
What do Easter eggs symbolize for Christians?
In this article, Easter eggs represent life hidden inside what looks lifeless, much like Jesus in the tomb. The egg can also remind families of the stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb.
Why are butterflies used as an Easter symbol?
Butterflies are used because a caterpillar in a chrysalis can appear dead and then emerge with new life. The article connects that picture to Jesus dying, being placed in the tomb, and rising victorious.
What does the Easter lily represent?
The article says Easter flowers point to new life in spring, and lilies are especially meaningful because they grow from a bulb that appears dead. White lilies also represent the purity of Jesus.
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