Why Do We Eat Eggs? | Passover, Easter, Nowruz

As spring approaches, three major holidays are celebrated around the world: Passover, Nowruz, and Easter.

While they are celebrated by different religions, both holidays share a common symbol: the egg.

Passover

Passover is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. The holiday lasts for one week and begins with a Seder meal on the first two nights. During the Seder, Jews retell the story of the Exodus from Egypt and eat symbolic foods, including matzo, bitter herbs, and charoset.

One of the symbolic foods on the Seder plate is a hard-boiled egg. The egg represents the cycle of life and death and the hope for rebirth. According to tradition, the egg also represents the festival sacrifice that was offered in the Temple in Jerusalem before its destruction. The egg is hard-boiled to symbolize the mourning period after the destruction of the Temple.

Additionally, the egg serves as a reminder of the ancient Israelites' journey from slavery to freedom. Just as an egg contains new life, the Israelites were reborn as a free people after leaving Egypt. The egg's round shape also symbolizes the wholeness and completeness of the Jewish people.

Easter

Easter Eggs | Photo credit whatmomslove

Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The holiday is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox, usually between March 22 and April 25. Easter traditions vary around the world, but one common symbol is the egg.

The egg has been associated with Easter for centuries, and its symbolism is rooted in pagan and Christian traditions. In pagan traditions, eggs were a symbol of fertility and rebirth, and were often given as gifts during the spring equinox.

In Christianity, the egg represents the tomb from which Jesus emerged after his resurrection. The hard shell of the egg represents the sealed tomb, while the egg white and yolk represent new life. In Orthodox Christian traditions, eggs are often dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ.

In many cultures, Easter eggs are decorated with intricate designs or painted in bright colors. In some countries, eggs are rolled down hills as part of Easter games or exchanged as gifts between friends and family.

Nowruz

Photo Credit Solmaz

Nowruz is a holiday celebrated by people of Iranian and Central Asian descent, and its traditions also involve eggs as a symbol of renewal and rebirth. Nowruz falls on the spring equinox, usually around March 21st, and lasts for 13 days.

One of the most common traditions during Nowruz is the preparation of a special table setting called Haft-sin, which includes seven items starting with the Persian letter "sin." One of the items on this table is decorated eggs, called "tokhm-e-morgh," which symbolize fertility and new beginnings.

The eggs are usually dyed red, which represents the life force and the sun. They can also be decorated with intricate designs and patterns, often using natural materials such as leaves and flowers. Families often gather around the Haft-sin table to celebrate the start of spring and the hope for a fruitful year ahead.

Nowruz is a time for reflection, gratitude, and hope for a brighter future, and eggs play an important role in these themes of renewal and new beginnings.