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Article #165: Easter Basket History

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It's hard to imagine Easter without early farmers, the phase of the moon was
Easter baskets. Traditionally, these are always significant in determining when to
filled with candy treats such as plant seeds.
chocolates and jelly beans, usually in The tradition of Easter gift baskets is
the shape of an egg. There may also be really most closely connected to Western
hollow plastic eggs with coins or other Christianity, however. In the Roman
treats inside. But did you ever wonder Catholic Church, Easter is only part of
where the whole idea of baskets on Easter an entire season of rituals and
came from in the first place? observances that begin forty-six days
Like the Easter holiday itself, the prior to Easter itself. Many who have
basket is the result of the confluence of experienced the revelry of Mardi Gras or
several traditions from different Carnivale don't realize that the "Fat
cultures. Some of these stem from the Tuesday" celebration represents a last
Judeo-Christian tradition; others date chance to party before entering that
back to pagan customs. period called Lent - when the devout are
In ancient Europe, the vernal or spring expected to fast and give up meat, eggs
equinox was a significant time. In the and dairy. Lent ends on Easter, hence the
original home of the Indo-Aryan peoples - tradition of a large, sumptuous family
ancestors of most of the ethnic and meal. At one time, it was a tradition for
linguistic groups of Europe as well as Roman Catholic families to carry the food
Armenia, Kurdistan, Iran, Afghanistan and for Easter dinner to Mass in a basket,
India - winters were long and bitter. where it could be blessed by the priest -
Spring was considered a time of renewal harking back to the ancient tradition of
and rebirth. bringing first crops and seedlings to the
Among Semitic-speaking peoples of the temple.
ancient Middle East - who include the German immigrants to the U.S. contributed
Hebrews, Arabs, Babylonians, Assyrians their own customs. "Pennsylvania Dutch"
and others - it was a tradition to bring children eagerly awaited the Osterhase to
the first seedlings of the growing season deliver eggs on Easter Sunday, which he
to the temples in order to insure a would deposit on his "rabbit's nest" -
successful harvest. This connection to hence the tradition of lining Easter gift
agriculture is also reflected in the baskets with grass (or more commonly
holiday's relationship to the cycles of today, artificial decorative grass).
the moon; it is always held on the Sunday Although considered a religious holiday,
(day of Sol Invictus, or the Easter is really a universal expression
"Unconquerable Sun") following the first of renewal and new beginnings.
full moon after the spring equinox. To






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