Why Easter is celebrated on Sundays, and other facts about the holiday weekend
Posted Mar 31, 2013 8:04 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Easter Sunday lands on March 31st this year, but last year it was April 8th.
Easter used to mark the beginning of spring, but catholic officials changed the date to the first Sunday following the full moon on or after the vernal equinox.
Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day after his crucifixion at Calvary as described in the Bible.
The word Easter comes from the Norsemen’s Eostur, Eastar, Ostara, and Ostar, and the pagan goddess Eostre, all of which involve the season of the growing sun and new birth. Eostre was the ancient Greek goddess of spring.
The Easter Bunny originally bounced up as a symbol of fertility, because of rapid reproduction habits of the hare and rabbit.
Eggs of all types are an important symbol of Easter. They represent the rebirth of nature in the spring and the promise of new life and summer months to come.
Easter also marks the end of Lent, when some Christians give up something that may be a luxury, bad habit, temptation, or guilty pleasure. The idea of chocolate and candies for the holiday comes from celebrating the end of lent and your sacrifice.
