The meaning of Easter is Jesus Christ's victory over death. His

resurrection symbolizes the eternal life that is granted to all who

believe in Him. The meaning of Easter also symbolizes the

complete verification of all that Jesus preached and taught during

His three-year ministry. If He had not risen from the dead, if He had

merely died and not been resurrected, He would have been

considered just another teacher or Rabbi. However, His

resurrection changed all that and gave final and irrefutable proof

that He was really the Son of God and that He had conquered

death once and for all.

However, Easter did not always symbolize Christ's resurrection

from the dead and the meaning of Easter was quite different

than what Christians celebrate today. The feast day of Easter

was originally a pagan celebration of renewal and rebirth.

Celebrated in the early spring, it honored the pagan Saxon

goddess Easter. When the early missionaries converted the

Saxons to Christianity, the holiday, since it fell around the same

time as the traditional memorial of Christ's resurrection from the

dead, was merged with the pagan celebration, and became know

as Easter. The meaning of Easter was also changed to reflect its

new Christian orientation.

Today, the meaning of Easter, for million of Christians, is that of

honoring and recognizing Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead,

and His glorious promises of eternal life for all who believe in Him. -

-Eggs and chicks symbolize new life. Eggs

have been a symbol of Spring since

ancient times. An egg also is a symbol

of the rock tomb out of which Christ

emerged when he arose again.

The chick, hatching out of the egg,

symbolizes new life or re-birth.

The rabbit, or hare, was a symbol of abundant

new life in ancient times, and reminds us of Spring

and new life

- The white blossoms symbolize the purity of

Jesus. Lilies, emerging from the earth in the

spring, also symbolize new life and the

resurrection of Christ.

The Cross - Symbolizes Jesus’ victory

over death.

Palm Branches - Represents when

Jesus arrived in Jerusalem on the first

Palm Sunday and people waved palm

branches, welcoming him.

The Butterfly is one of the significant

symbols of Easter. Its whole life cycle

is meant to symbolize the life of Jesus

Christ. The first stage, is the caterpillar,

which stands for His life on Earth.

Second phase begins from the cocoon

stage, portraying the crucifixion and

burial of Jesus. The third and final

stage is the butterfly, representing His

raising from the dead in a glorified body

and peace.

- A food eaten during Lent-

the twisted shaped

symbolizes arms

crossed in prayer.

Hot cross buns have a cross of

icing on the top to remind

people of Christ.

Despite the 25% drop in proclaiming oneself Catholic since

the 1970s, Brazil boasts the largest Roman Catholic

population in the world (with 123 million followers). Easter, as

one of the main Catholic holidays, is therefore largely

celebrated in a land that also happens to host one of the

wildest parties in the world (you know the one).

Easter, or Páscoa in Portuguese, falls on the day after the

culmination of Holy Week, which also marks the end of Lent.

Since many institutions and businesses allow for an extended

weekend, many Brazilians spend the holiday either traveling

for the sake of traveling (and to witness religious processions

such as the one in Ouro Preto) or spending the time with

family.

During Lent in Ethiopia, Christians don't eat or buy any animal products

like meat, eggs, butter, milk, yogurt, cream and cheese.

On Palm Sunday, people wear head bands and rings made of palm

leaves with crosses marked on them.

The first Easter Day service actually starts at 8.00pm on Easter Saturday

night and lasts until 3.00 am on Easter Sunday morning! Most people go

to the whole service and wear their best clothes. These are often white

and are called 'Yabesha Libs'. People have candles made of cotton and

wax called 'twaf'. At 10.00 pm drummers start playing and accompanying

the Priests as they chant a prayer called the 'Geez'.

After the service, people go back to their homes have a breakfast to

celebrate the end of Lent with a 'dabo' sour-dough bread. It is traditional

that the bread is cut by a priest or by the head man in the family.

The main Easter meal is eaten in the afternoon. The meal normally

consists of a sour dough pancake called 'injera' and it is eaten with a

mutton or lamb stew called 'beg wot'.

In France, Church Bells do not ring on Good Friday or Easter

Saturday . Sometimes children are told that the bells have gone

off to see the Pope!

Boxwood branches are sometimes used instead of palm leaves.

They are put over doors in houses to bring good luck to the

people in the house.

In Greek Orthodox Churches, a tomb is often put in the centre of

the Church for the Good Friday Service. People process to the

service like they going to a funeral.

A Service is held on the Easter Saturday evening, just before

Midnight. Priests give out candles to people in the Church and

they are lit at Midnight. Fireworks are also sometimes used to

signal that Easter Day has started.

On Easter morning, a soup made of Lambs stomach is

sometimes eaten for breakfast! The rest of the lamb is roasted

and eaten for the main meal.

A traditional Greek Easter cake is made with Oranges and

Almonds in it. It is eaten with a spicy orange sauce poured over

it.

On Easter Day in Italy, the Pope presides over a very large Mass

Service in St Peter's Square in the Vatican City. The service is a

place of Pilgrimage to Catholics and is broadcast on Radio and

T.V. all over the world.

In the Palm Sunday services and celebrations, Olive Branches

are often used instead of Palm leaves.

At the start of Lent, there is a big Mardi Gras festival in Venice.

On Good Friday in Portugal, large bonfire are lit. People burn

straw dolls made to look like Judas on them.

On Good Friday in Portugal, large bonfire are lit. People burn

straw dolls made to look like Judas on them.

A food eaten during Lent- the twisted

shaped symbolizes arms

crossed in prayer.

What is the meaning of the eggs?