Why do we give away eggs and bunnies at Easter?

Although there is no consensus as to why the tradition celebrates Easter with Eggs and Rabbits, today in Le Vice we tell you the main clues that the history books have given us related to this.

civilization and beliefs

It all started with the eggs representing fertility and life in some civilizations located in Egypt, China, Greece and some other western countries. When the hard times were over, the eggs were exchanged by the settlers. They were also given at the end of a long winter, as this signified the beginning of spring, which is associated with new life.

The arrival of Christianity

The resurrection of Christ is located in the days close to the beginning of spring. The church forbade eating eggs during Lent, so as the animals continued to produce eggs, they were kept and given away in Easter. After a few years the eggs began to be painted red to represent the blood of Christ and the Church decided years later that their eggs should be painted in three colors: blue , the color of the Easter season, yellow the light of resurrection and violet to remember the Passion of Christ.

And how do we go from normal eggs to chocolate eggs?

The first documented chocolate egg in history books leads us to France in the 16th century when King Francisco I was given a chocolate egg that had a representation of the Passion of Christ inside. It was later in the year 1873 that the English doctor and chocolatier Joseph Fry He made the first commercially made chocolate eggs.

When does the rabbit appear?

The rabbit was associated with the goddess Eastre or the goddess Astarte (goddesses of spring and fertility respectively) but years later the Germans would give rise to the legend that an Easter Bunny promises to give things to children who behave well.

On the other hand, there is a legend in Christianity that tells that a rabbit slept in the same cave where Jesus was buried. When Jesus rose, the rabbit went to break the news, carrying a colored egg with him.

And how did the tradition come to Chile?

Believe it or not, the Easter tradition It is not celebrated in all Latin American countries . The aforementioned traditions were already part of the cultures of Spain, France, Italy and Germany between the 18th and 19th centuries. It was then in the 19th century during the arrival of German colonies in Chile that the tradition of Easter Eggs was installed in our country. For them the Easter Bunny It's like a representation as important as the Old Man Pascuero.

Nowadays it is impossible to spend an Easter Week without seeing the shops full of rabbits or chocolate eggs, since both traditions were mixed and the whole country celebrates Easter with Chocolate Eggs and Rabbits.

So now you know, when you see the smile of a child who found a chocolate egg, everything comes from a tradition that goes back 4000 years and is related to the celebration of life , and of course, there is no better way to celebrate life than with a good quality chocolate like the one in Le Vice Chocolat.