Easter Symbols

Easter Symbols – Easter is replete with many recognized symbols. Tradition plays an important role in Easter celebrations for many families. Cherished traditions and symbols of Easter may include anything from egg hunts to lilies to lambs. Understanding the importance behind these symbols can make sharing the miracle of Easter that much more special. #EasterSymbols

Tradition plays an important role in Easter celebrations for many families. Cherished traditions and symbols of Easter may include anything from egg hunts to lilies to lambs. Understanding the importance behind these symbols can make sharing the miracle of Easter that much more special.

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Easter Sunday is one of the most meaningful days on the Christian calendar. Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who Christians believe died by crucifixion as a sacrifice to atonement. Many symbols are associated with Easter, and understanding these symbols can help Christians and non-Christians alike gain a stronger grasp of this deeply meaningful Christian day of worship.

Happy Easter “Resurrection Day”

Cross /Crucifix

The cross, also known as a crucifix is one of the central symbols of Easter and Christianity. The cross is a symbol of Christ’s crucifixion and sacrifice. The crucifix also highlights the ability of God to give new life to people after death.

In addition to wearing and displaying the cross during Easter, some people bake “hot cross buns” as another symbol of the season.

Eggs

Eggs are one of the more recognizable symbols of Easter. For Easter egg hunts, eggs are hard-boiled and decorated in bright hues. It’s believed that the origins of Easter eggs are both secular and religious. From the secular (once pagan) perspective, the egg is an ancient symbol of new life, according to The History Channel, and has been associated with pagan festivals that celebrate spring. Some Christians feel that Easter eggs represent Christ’s emergence from the tomb and his subsequent resurrection. Eggs were once a food not consumed during Lent, therefore painting and decorating them to mark the end of fasting and penance became a way to celebrate Easter.

Read about the Truth about Easter Eggs

Truth about the Easter Bunny & Easter Eggs

Also check out the Empty Egg being the Empty Tomb in this You’ve Been Egged Printable!

You’ve Been Egged Printable

Rabbit aka Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is very much a secular symbol of the holiday, but one that has become so ingrained with the season that many people ascribe to it a Christian meaning. Pagan celebrations of spring often linked rabbits or hares with the season because of their fertility and ability to bring forth new life. According to the Christian living resource Crosswalk, believers associate the rabbit coming out of its underground home as a symbol of Christ emerging from the tomb.

Read about the Truth about the Easter Bunny

Truth about the Easter Bunny & Easter Eggs

Lilies

Lilies are often exchanged during Easter celebrations or presented as hostess gifts for those sharing the holiday meal with others. The American Bible Society says lilies grow in the spring around the time when Easter is typically celebrated. Also, because they look like trumpets, they can be a symbol that heralds Christ’s resurrection.

Meaning behind Easter Lillies

Lamb

The lamb is another symbol associated with Easter. Lambs were originally associated with the Jewish holiday of Passover, when lambs were sacrificed and their blood was used to mark which houses contained those faithful to God. As a result of his crucifixion, Christ became the symbolic lamb for all – the ultimate sacrifice.

The Ultimate Superhero

According to CatholicCulture.org, the lamb represents Jesus Christ, who Christians believe is the Son of God. The lamb can be connected to Jewish Passover, a Jewish holiday that commemorates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery. During the celebration of Passover, each Jewish family killed a lamb as a sacrifice. Christians commonly refer to Jesus as the Lamb of God who God sacrificed so Christians’ sins could be forgiven. He is also known as the sacrificial lamb.

Clothing

New clothing is another symbol of Easter that traces its origins back further than many Christians may realize. It’s customary for present-day Christians to don their Sunday best when attending Easter Sunday Mass, and the tradition of looking sharp on Easter can be traced to the early Christians, who would wear new white robes for baptisms during Easter services. Eventually, all Easter celebrants began to wear new clothes during Easter services. Including the Easter Bonnet.

The history of Easter Bonnets

Palm fronds

Palm Sunday is the final Sunday of Lent, taking place one week before Easter Sunday. Palm Sunday commemorates Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem. According to the Gospels, Jesus rode a young donkey into Jerusalem, where the townspeople threw palms in front of him in homage. That practice was a customary sign of respect in Jerusalem, and today Christians believe the palm is a sign of peace. Palms continue to be distributed to the faithful during Palm Sunday Mass.

Palm Sunday

Cracking the tradition of hiding Easter eggs

Easter Blog Posts

Below is a list of blog posts that relate to Easter. Be sure to check them all out!

Easter list last updated April 19, 2022.

Article Compliments of MetroCreative TF163095 & TF183823. Some revisions and additions were done too. Previously published March 2018. Last updated or republished March 2, 2021.

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About the Author

Steve Patterson

A Christian Blogger that enjoys blogging about the Bible, Theology, God, Jesus Christ, Christian Music, Family, Cats, Odd Holidays, sewing and much more. I have been blogging since 2004, however, I have been blogging on Courageous Christian Father since 2012. I enjoy listening to Christian Music. I am married with 1 daughter, 2 step-sons and a step daughter.

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Easter Symbols