Eggs had a very significant place in ancient Greek religious- mystical life and tradition. They were always a symbol of life and rebirth. Eggs, even from ostriches, were found in ancient graves – huge and carved with delicate art.

The cosmogonical egg Also, the egg is referred to in ancient Greek literature as a symbol of creation and the universe. The snake symbolises energy wrapped around the egg that symbolises the universe. From antiquity Greeks, like Chinese, Persians and Egyptians used to die eggs in different colours and offer them to family and friends.

One of the most popular Easter traditions is the painting of the eggs, a pre- christianic symbol of life, reinforced by the symbolism of the red colour coming from the blood of Jesus Christ. As a result, it is a main symbol of Easter. In Greece, the eggs are dyed mostly red, on Holy Thursday, the day of the Last Supper and people start eating them after the resurrection of Christ, on Sunday.

One of the most common versions is that red symbolises Christs blood and his sacrifice. The egg also symbolises Christs grave that was closed, like an egg, but had > inside it since Jesus rose from the dead! Why do we paint the eggs red? Another explanation that is often given is that Virgin Mary took a basket of eggs and offered them to the guards of her son, begging them to treat him well. When her tears fell on the eggs, they were dyed red! Another story connects the red colour with Mary Magdalene. When the Roman emperor was informed about the resurrection of Christ, he thought it was so unbelievable like painting eggs red. Mary Magdalene then, painted some eggs and took them to him to confirm the fact.

Painting the eggs Today, there are many special dyes on the market that give even, vibrant colours. According to the traditional way of dying eggs, women used dry onion leaves. They wrapped them in onion leaves, which they tied with a rope around the egg and boiled them for about 20 minutes. They, also, used the broth of beetroots, spinach, red cabbage etc. And of course, they made patterns on the eggs with different leaves, as long as they were large and wrapped in a gauze.

Chinking eggs Chinking eggs symbolises the resurrection of Christ and is a tradition of love that brings joy on the holy days of Easter… Before, eating them, each one chooses their special egg and clinks it with the egg of another. If your egg doesnt break, you clink it with the next one, until you can find which egg is the strongest.

Easter chocolate eggs Part of the modern Easter traditions are also chocolate eggs, that are usually given to children and they contain little toys, or candy.