Why is Easter Celebrated and What is its Significance?

Easter is one of the most crucial events in the history of Christians and is celebrated across the globe among this community. The goal of this event is to recall the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, denoting its victory over death. Today, this incident has evolved into more of a cultural venture, with a wide range of celebrations worldwide, including for Muslims. Since there is a public holiday, they can avail of Easter Umrah Packages 2025 and can perform this holy prayer. Nevertheless, this article will throw light on the historical backdrop of Easter, its cruciality for Christians, its symbols, and how different countries celebrate this event. Let’s have a look:

What is the Historical Background of Easter?

If we consider the history of the Easter festival, it has a relation to the Jewish festival of Passover. During this event, Jews take food known as the Seder and use the blood of a young male lamb to paint their doors so that the Angel of Death would pass over their homes. In the New Testament, Jesus Christ is shown as the Passover lamb, as he was crucified to save people. Crucifixion and successive resurrection on the third day make Christ the core of Easter for the Christians.

When is Easter Celebrated in Christianity?

As time passes, the date of Easter gets separated from the Jewish event of Passover. In 325 AD, the Council of Nicea held a meeting, and they decided that the first Sunday after the spring equinox was marked as Easter Day. Tentatively, this day could fall anywhere between March 22 and April 25. However, the exact date also varies as per the following calendar. Western Christianity goes with the Gregorian calendar to choose a day for Easter celebration, while Orthodox churches have selected the Julian calendar for Easter day.

What are the Cultural Customs Associated with Easter?

As told earlier, Easter is celebrated among a diverse range of people. Therefore, you may see distant cultural customs associated with this occasion. Although this event at its core remains the same, some versatility has been cited below:

Easter Parades: In many countries, people celebrate Easter parades, which are festive carriages, music, and all sorts of figures and images. Religious themes may be used in these parades, including those of the life and renewal of Jesus Christ.

Easter Feasts: Easter is a great time for various kinds of dinners; people make use of standard recipes that are typical for the given area. Some cultures prefer lamb, mainly because of the tie with the Passover lamb. Some other classic Easter foods that are known include ham, hot cross buns, and Easter bread.

Religious Observances: Easter is marked with lots of gifts, as is clear from other traditions, but it is a religious occasion. Christians worship at churches, specifically on Good Friday, an event that marks the crucifixion of Jesus, and Easter Sunday, which celebrates the revival of Jesus.

Cultural Festivals: Apart, various unique cultural festivals also exist in Christianity. For example, in Ukraine, the natives used to decorate the eggs with a folk design that showed their love towards this event. On the other hand, there is a whole week devoted to Easter, called Semana Santa (Holy Week).

Easter Symbols and Meanings

The day of Easter is represented by various symbols. A list of theirs with details is given below:

The Cross

The cross is unquestionably the main symbol of Easter. It symbolises the act of crucifixion of Jesus Christ – the supreme figure of Christianity. It literally represents that scaffold where Jesus was roped for the purposes of crucifixion. Now, this symbol has a central place in the religion, denoting the sacrifice of the prophet for the sins of humanity.

The Easter Egg

Easter eggs are an enlightening and cheerful imagery associated with the holiday. These mean new life, rebirth, and most significantly, the raised tomb of Jesus. In many cultures, eggs are beautifully painted or dyed or even hidden in a home for children to look for.

The Easter Bunny

Easter rabbit, a recreational figure related to Easter, is said to bring baskets of chocolate Easter eggs and other goodies to children. This tradition represents fertility, new life, as well as the hope of a resurrection.

Other Symbols

Apart from the above-mentioned signs, a range of other symbols also exist in relation to Easter. These are given below:

• Lilies: White lilies or Easter lilies are the flowers linked with this event. They tell about purity, innocence, and rebirth. This flower is used to decorate homes and churches during the season.
• The Lamb: A lamb has a link with the Jewish culture of Passover, asking for the Angel of Death to pass without hurting them. In Christianity, this sign is associated with Jesus, making him an ultimate Passover and survivor for humanity.
• The Dove: This is the universal mark of peace, unity, and the Holy Spirit. It is said that this bird was released from heaven on the day of the resurrection of Jesus.
• The Empty Tomb: This is another symbol linked with the revival of Christ from the scaffold on Sunday. This sign marks the win of life over death and the hope of eternal salvation.

How is Easter Celebrated Around the World?

Each year, Easter is celebrated with a rich tapestry of traditions across the globe, with each country or region adding its own flair. Here are some common variations that you may find linked to this event:

United States

Easter Egg Hunts: Children engage in hunting rituals at parks and gardens where eggs with candies or toys are hidden by families. Easter Parades: The New York City Easter Parade is one of the most famous where people wear bonnets and outfits while walking down Fifth Avenue.

United Kingdom

Easter Egg Rolling: In this odd rite, people decorate eggs and then roll them down a steep slope, trying to see whose egg would roll the farthest without cracking. Simnel Cake: A mix of a Christmas cake with a layer of marzipan, topped with eleven marzipan balls, meaning the apostles excluding Judas.

Italy

Pasqua (Easter): There are Holy Week events that include Passion processions, masses, and recreations of the last moments in Jesus’s life. Pasquetta (Easter Monday): A family day to share a meal and celebrate the good weather of spring along with nice food, especially lamb and Easter bread.

Spain

Semana Santa: In Holy Week, there is a showcase of marches by penitents in robes and hooded grievers bearing statues of Christ. Burning of Judas: It is also classic in some districts to make and then burn models of Judas.

Greece

Orthodox Easter: Marked by keeping a vigil with prayers and hymns at the stroke of midnight, fireworks, and the breaking of dyed red eggs in memory of the blood of Christ. Feasting: Typical dishes such as lamb and margaritas, as well as a soup of lamb offal, are consumed.

The TL;DR is that Easter is the noble holiday for Christians that is celebrated globally. Owing to their importance, work holidays are announced in the majority of countries, including the UK. This gives a good opportunity for Muslims in these countries to have the blessings of Umrah. Since this ritual falls in the months of March and April, you can avail of March Umrah packages from Muslims Holy Travel for this holy prayer. Contact us now to get cheap as well as luxury deals such as 5 Star Umrah Packages.