Even though it is one of the most celebrated holidays of all time, there are some strange myths about Easter. Easter has had its fair share of myths and superstitions associated with it throughout the centuries. While many seem cute and harmless, there are some that are considered to this day as unusual or controversial. Read on to discover some strange myths about Easter.
A commonly known and very strange myth related to Easter – especially popular during the past few years – seems to point out the Middle Eastern Goddess Ishtar as being the source of the Easter Holidays. Historical findings, however, show that Ishtar had very little to do with any rabbits and eggs, and the word Easter seemed to have originated in Germanic languages somewhere around 700 CE – quite far away from Ishtar's domain, both in space and time.
The fascination with this myth stems largely from a purported connection between the fertility symbols of eggs and rabbits and the similarly themed traits of the goddess Ishtar. However, when we delve into historical traditions, the character of the Easter Bunny actually surfaced in Protestant regions of Germany, where it was believed he would deliver treats to well-behaved children. This fun myth seems to have taken root with no actual connection to Ishtar, rather blossoming as a distinct cultural practice that crossed the pond to American shores during the 19th century with German immigrants.
The Easter Bunny is one of the cutest and most loved characters linked to the Easter Holidays. However, his origins are somewhat of a puzzling enigma for anyone from kindergarten teachers to historians. Although the myth “feels” pagan in origin, no one can really link it to either Christian or pagan origins.
Eggs have always played a significant cultural role throughout history. In some cultures, gods were believed to have hatched from eggs, ancient pagans decorating eggs and associating them with spiritual meanings. Even the Roman Empire decorated them symbolically in the 2nd century, and this is the time when it's believed that early Christians picked up the custom, linking it to the Easter Holidays.
In Britain, Lady Day (March the 25th) has a curious association with the Easter Holidays. It is said that, if Easter Sunday coincides with Lady Day, some type of national misfortune will occur during the next year. The creepy thing about this myth is that, when this happened in the 20th century – in 1910 and 1951 – first Edward VII, then King George VI died soon after. The next “Lady Day” Easter is in 2035. Good luck!
One of those weird myths about Easter specifically related to Easter eggs states that eggs are safe to eat after an Easter egg hunt. The fact is that hard boiled eggs are only safe to eat at room temperature for up to two hours or so. Anything beyond that time could lead to severe food-borne illnesses, especially when the eggs were left out overnight.
So, before you munch on those beautifully decorated eggs from the hunt, consider how long they've been out. If those eggs have been hiding under bushes or sitting in a basket past the two-hour safety zone, it's best to opt for caution. Bacteria like salmonella love a good egg-stravaganza as much as the next person and can multiply rapidly at room temperature. Always err on the side of food safety. Remember, an Easter bellyache is no joke, so be sure to keep track of time when planning your egg-ventures!
Since we've mentioned the famous Easter eggs, it's important to refer to another myth that people have been talking about for hundreds of years, identifying Easter egg rolls as an American tradition. The practice, however, was known well before the famous idea put forth by Dolley Madison in 1814, being practiced in Germany, England and other countries as a symbol of the rock rolling away from Jesus Christ's tomb during His resurrection.
Finally, one of the more unusual myths about Easter has to do with children born during the Easter Holidays. Any child born on Easter Day is considered to be extremely fortunate, and it is said they will live a long and happy life. However, superstition also says that those born on Good Friday are no more or less than doomed to be unlucky.
These are my top picks for Easter myths this year. Which one do you think is the most interesting? Do you believe there might be any other strange myths I may have overlooked?
Sources:
farmanddairy.com
patheos.com
huffingtonpost.com
snopes.com
georgewbush-whitehouse.archives.gov