Member-only story
From Eostre to Easter: Tracing the Holiday’s Transformation Across Beliefs
I know Easter is tomorrow, but I wanted to go ahead and publish this today. I was thinking about how much paganism is in Christian holidays, but people seem to forget that when they are proselytizing to the rest of us sinners.
Easter is a time of profound significance, marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ in Christianity — a symbol of hope, renewal, and life triumphing over death. It’s a period that beautifully melds solemn religious observance with joyous secular customs, such as the Easter bunny, into a celebration that appeals universally.
The holiday’s roots trace back to ancient Christian and pagan traditions, showcasing themes of rebirth and renewal.
“Easter” likely comes from “Eostre,” an Anglo-Saxon spring goddess, highlighting its deep connections to the season’s rejuvenation.
Christians have embraced Easter and its associated symbols as part of a broader acceptance of integrating pre-Christian traditions into their celebrations.
The adoption of Easter, despite its pagan beginnings, can be attributed to the early Christian strategy of incorporating existing cultural and religious practices to make the Christian message more accessible and relatable to a broader audience. By aligning the celebration of…