The Tradition of Easter Eggs

1 Let's Discuss There Interesting Questions!

1 What are the origins of the tradition of Easter eggs?

2 How have Easter eggs evolved over time in different cultures?

3 Why do you think eggs are used as a symbol of resurrection in Christianity?

4 How do different countries celebrate Easter with eggs?

5 Do you think the commercialization of Easter eggs has changed the meaning of this
tradition?

2 Pick the Right Summary!

00:00 - 04:37
https://youtu.be/DiwzYdQjEsg

1 In the video, the discussion shifts to the environmental impact of Easter egg production.
It explores the use of natural dyes and materials for coloring eggs. The video highlights
the importance of sustainable practices in creating Easter eggs to minimize ecological
harm.
2 In the video, Easter eggs are seen as a modern invention for commercial purposes. The
focus is on the colorful wrapping and artificial substances used to create eggs. It implies
that the tradition of Easter eggs has lost its original meaning and is now solely a
marketing gimmick. The video suggests that the consumption of chocolate eggs has
overshadowed the traditional significance of real eggs.
 3 In the video, Easter eggs are discussed as traditional gifts during the Easter season. The
practice of dyeing and painting chicken eggs has evolved into using chocolate eggs and
other confectionery. The significance of Easter eggs in Christianity symbolizes rebirth and
resurrection, with roots in early Christian practices. The video explores the cultural and
historical connections of Easter eggs in different regions.

3 Can You Fill in the Gaps?

Easter eggs are decorated eggs used as gifts during the Easter season
Traditionally, dyed and painted chicken eggs were used, but modern customs include
chocolate eggs and plastic eggs filled with candy
Eggs have been a symbol of fertility and rebirth in Christianity, symbolizing the empty tomb of
Jesus
The tradition of Easter eggs can be traced back to early Christians in Mesopotamia and spread
through Orthodox, Catholic, and Protestant churches
The practice of decorating egg shells dates back to ancient cultures in Africa, Mesopotamia,
and Egypt
Easter eggs were forbidden during Lent, but were eaten quickly at the end of the fast
Popular egg-related traditions include Easter egg hunts and egg rolling, symbolizing the
rolling away of the stone from Christ's tomb.

4 Can You Fill in the Blanks?

eastertide, paschal, memorial, reenactment, sealed, eggshells, representations, decorate,
alder, available, occasion, resurrection, artificial, staining, custom, baskets, symbolized,
commonplace, faithful, annual, painted, stained, associated, influenced (2), enduring, vinegar,
spread (2), fertility, traced, meatloaf, spoiling, mercantile, privations, crucifixion (2),
animations, continue, adopted, hand-carved, priest, substitute, cemetery, rolling, braided,
specifically, forbidden, pre-dynastic
Easter eggs, also called _______________(1) eggs, are decorated eggs that are usually used as
gifts on the _______________(2) of Easter. As such, Easter eggs are common during the season
of _______________(3), Easter season.
The oldest tradition is to use dyed and _______________(4) chicken eggs, but a modern custom
is to _______________(5) chocolate eggs wrapped in colored foil, _______________(6) wooden
eggs, or plastic eggs filled with confectionery such as chocolate. However, real eggs
_______________(7) to be used in Central and Eastern European tradition.
Although eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of _______________(8) and rebirth, in
Christianity, for the celebration of Eastertide, Easter eggs _______________(9) the empty tomb
of Jesus, from which Jesus resurrected. In addition, one ancient tradition was the
_______________(10) of Easter eggs with a color red, in memory of the blood of Christ shed as
at that time of his _______________(11).
This custom of the Easter egg can be _______________(12) to early Christians of Mesopotamia,
and from there it _______________(13) into Russia and Siberia through the Orthodox churches,
and later into Europe through the Catholic and Protestant churches. This Christian use of eggs
may have been _______________(14) by practices in pre-dynastic period in Egypt, as well as
amid the early cultures of Mesopotamia and Crete.
The practice of decorating _______________(15) as part of spring rituals is ancient, with
decorated engraved ostrich eggs found in Africa which are 60,000 years old. In the
_______________(16) period of Egypt and the early cultures of Mesopotamia and Crete, eggs
were _______________(17) with death and rebirth, as well as with kingship, with decorated
ostrich eggs, and _______________(18) of ostrich eggs in gold and silver were commonly placed
in the graves of the ancient Sumerians and Egyptians as early as 5,000 years ago.
These cultural relationships may have _______________(19) early Christian and Islamic cultures
in those areas, as well as through _______________(20), religious and political links from those
areas around the Mediterranean.
The Christian custom of Easter eggs, _______________(21), started among the early Christians
of Mesopotamia, whose _______________(22) eggs with red coloring in memory of the blood of
Christ shed at his _______________(23). The Christian Church officially adopted the custom,
regarding the eggs as a symbol of the _______________(24) of Jesus, with the Roman Ritual,
the first edition of which was published in 1610.
From the Greek Church, the custom was _______________(25) by either the Roman Catholics or
the Protestants, and then _______________(26) through Europe. The Easter egg tradition may
also have merged into the celebration of the end of the _______________(27) of Lent in the
West. Eggs were originally _______________(28) during Lent, as well as on other traditional fast
days.
During Lent, since chickens would not stop producing eggs during this time, a larger than
usual store might be _______________(29) at the end of the fast. This surplus, if any, had to be
eaten quickly to prevent _______________(30). Then, with the coming of Easter, the eating of
eggs resumes. Some families cook a special _______________(31) with eggs in it to be eaten
with Easter dinner.
In the Orthodox churches, Easter eggs are blessed by the _______________(32) at the end of
the Paschal Vigil, which is equivalent to Holy Saturday and distributed to the
_______________(33). The egg is seen by followers of Christianity as a symbol of resurrection.
While being dormant, it contains a new life _______________(34) within it.
On either the second Monday or Tuesday of Pascha, after a _______________(35) service,
people bring blessed eggs to the _______________(36) and bring the joyous Paschal greeting,
Christ has risen to their beloved departed.
 In the Roman Catholic Church in Poland, the so-called Svijan Czanko, i.e. blessing of
decorative _______________(37) with a sampling of Easter eggs and other symbolic foods, is
one of the most _______________(38) and beloved Polish traditions on Holy Saturday.
In Greece, women traditionally dye the eggs with onion skins and _______________(39) on
Thursday, also the day of communion. These ceremonial eggs are known as Kokina Afga. They
also bake tsureki for the Easter Sunday feast. Red Easter eggs are sometimes served along the
centerline of _______________(40) loaf of bread.
In Egypt, it's a tradition to _______________(41) boiled eggs during Shamm el-Nesim holiday,
which falls every year after the Eastern Christian Easter. The dyeing of Easter eggs in different
colors is _______________(42), with the color being achieved through boiling the egg in natural
substances, oak or _______________(43) bark or walnut nutshell for black, beet juice for pink or
using _______________(44) colorings. A greater variety of color was often provided by dyeing
on the onion skin with different colored woolen yarn.
Although one of the Christian traditions is to use dyed or painted chicken eggs, a modern
_______________(45) is to substitute chocolate eggs or plastic-filled eggs with candy such as
jelly beans. Easter egg hunts and egg _______________(46) are two popular egg-related
traditions.
An egg hunt involves hiding eggs outside for children to run around and find on Easter
morning. Eggs are rolled as a symbolic _______________(47) of the rolling away of the stone
from Christ's tomb. In the United States, the Easter egg roll is an _______________(48) event
that is held on the White House lawn each Monday after Easter.
Thank you for watching. Please check out our other _______________(49) on history and don't
forget to share, like and subscribe.

5 Pick the Right Answer!

1 What is the significance of the Easter egg in Christianity?
a Symbol of fertility and rebirth
b Symbol of the empty tomb of Jesus
c Symbol of spring rituals
d Symbol of kingship

2 How did the practice of decorating eggshells during spring rituals originate?
a From the early Christians of Mesopotamia
b From the pre-dynastic period in Egypt
c From the cultures of Mesopotamia and Crete
d From the Orthodox churches in Russia
3 Which early cultures associated eggs with death, rebirth, and kingship?
a Sumerians and Egyptians
b Mesopotamians and Creteans
c Romans and Greeks
d Africans and Egyptians

4 Why were eggs originally forbidden during Lent?

a To promote fasting and abstinence
b To avoid spoilage of eggs
c To encourage meat consumption
d To symbolize new life
5 What is the significance of the Easter egg in the Orthodox churches?
a Symbol of sacrifice
b Symbol of resurrection
c Symbol of Lent
d Symbol of fasting

6 What is a common tradition in Poland on Holy Saturday?

a Egg hunt
b Blessing of decorative baskets
c Easter egg rolling
d Special meatloaf with eggs

7 How do women in Greece traditionally dye Easter eggs?

a Using artificial colorings
b Using onion skins and vinegar
c Using beet juice
d Using colored woolen yarn

8 What is the purpose of the Easter egg roll tradition in the United States?
a To reenact the rolling away of the stone from Christ's tomb
b To celebrate the arrival of spring
c To promote physical activity
d To honor the tradition of egg decoration
6 Match these words and phrases to their translations!
1 reenactment a płodność

2 resurrection b ukrzyżowanie

3 stained c rekonstrukcja

4 symbolized d okres wielkanocny

5 braided e handlowy

6 animations f trwały

7 paschal g poplamiony

8 substitute h ręcznie rzeźbiony

9 staining i zaplatać

10 commonplace j kosze

11 hand-carved k animacje

12 mercantile l przyjęty

13 enduring m barwienie

14 crucifixion n dekorować

15 fertility o powszechny

16 adopted p paschalny

17 eastertide q symbolizowany

18 cemetery r zmartwychwstanie

19 baskets s cmentarz

20 decorate t zastępować

7 Let's Discuss These Interesting Questions!

 1 How do different cultures around the world celebrate Easter in unique ways?

2 What symbols are commonly associated with Easter and how are they interpreted across
various traditions?
3 In what ways is the resurrection of Jesus symbolized during the Easter holiday?

4 Have you ever participated in a reenactment of the crucifixion or resurrection as part of

Easter celebrations?
5 How have modern animations influenced the way Easter stories are portrayed to younger
generations?
6 Why are hand-carved decorations often used to enhance the Easter aesthetic?

7 What role does fertility play in some Easter traditions and how is it represented?

8 Can you explain the significance of staining eggs as part of Easter festivities?

9 How has the commercialization of Easter impacted traditional mercantile practices

related to the holiday?
10 Do you think the practice of decorating baskets for Easter will endure for future
generations?

8 Explore Quotes from Famous People!

Easter is meant to be a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life.

- Janine di Giovanni

Easter says you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there.
- Clarence W. Hall

Easter is very important to me, it's a second chance.

- Reba McEntire

Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless.
- Charles M. Crowe
 Easter is the only time when it's perfectly safe to put all your eggs in one basket.
- Evan Esar

9 Let's match these halves!

1 "Easter is the demonstration of God that a symbol of hope, renewal, and new life." -
Janine di Giovanni
2 "Easter is the only time when b it's a second chance." - Reba McEntire

3 "Easter is very important to me,
4 "Easter says you can put truth
5 "Easter is meant to be a
c it's perfectly safe to put all your eggs in
one basket." - Evan Esar
d life is essentially spiritual and timeless."
- Charles M.
e in a grave, but it won't stay there." -
Clarence W.

10 Get Creative with Your Writing!

Writing tasks:
1 Write a blog post discussing the origins and significance of various Easter traditions
around the world. Include a detailed explanation of how these traditions have evolved
over time and their cultural importance.
2 Create an email invitation for an Easter-themed event, incorporating different traditional
elements such as egg hunts, festive foods, and religious ceremonies. Emphasize the
importance of celebrating these traditions with friends and family.
3 Craft a social media post promoting a local Easter festival or parade, highlighting the
diverse traditions and activities that attendees can expect. Use persuasive language to
attract a wide audience and encourage participation in the event.

Target Vocabulary:
easter, traditions

11 Can You Fill in the Gaps?

Easter eggs, also known as _______________(1), are decorated eggs given as gifts during Easter.
 Traditionally, chicken eggs were _______________(2), but now chocolate eggs are common.
Real eggs are still used in Central and Eastern European _______________(3).
Easter eggs symbolize _______________(4) in Christianity.
The practice of decorating eggs dates back to ancient cultures in _______________(5).
The Christian tradition of Easter eggs started in Mesopotamia, spreading through
_______________(6).
Easter egg hunts and rolling eggs are popular _______________(7).

12 Let's Discuss There Interesting Questions!

1 What is the significance of Easter eggs in different cultures around the world?

2 How has the tradition of Easter eggs evolved over time?

3 Do you think the symbolism of Easter eggs has changed in modern times?

4 How do different countries celebrate Easter with regards to Easter eggs?

5 What are some unique Easter egg traditions that you have personally experienced or
heard about?

13 Can You Tell which Sentences are True and which are False?
1 The modern custom of using chocolate eggs has completely replaced the tradition of
using dyed and painted chicken eggs.
2 Easter eggs are used as a symbol of fertility in all cultures around the world.

3 The custom of the Easter egg originated in Europe and then spread to Mesopotamia.

4 The practice of decorating eggshells as part of spring rituals is common in all cultures
around the world.
 5 The Christian custom of Easter eggs started among the early Christians of Europe.

6 The custom of Easter eggs was adopted by all religions around the world.

7 The Easter egg tradition is completely separate from the celebration of Lent.

8 During Lent, chickens stop producing eggs.

9 In the Orthodox churches, Easter eggs are not blessed by the priest.

10 The Easter egg roll is a tradition in all countries around the world.

14 Let's Tackle These Conversations!

A Hey, have you ever heard of Paschal eggs?
B No, what are they?

A We're having a party for the occasion of our anniversary.

B That sounds exciting! Do you need any help with preparations?

A During Eastertide, we always decorate eggs.

B That's a beautiful tradition. How do you do it?

A I've painted these eggs with natural dyes from plants.

B They look amazing! You're so talented.

A We ran out of flour, can we substitute it with cornstarch?

B Yes, it should work as a thickener in the sauce.

A The colors on the eggs symbolize different aspects of spring.

B That's so interesting. What do the colors represent?

A I got these stains on my shirt while painting the house.

B Don't worry, I have a stain remover that works wonders.

A The crucifixion of Jesus heavily influenced Christian art.

B I can see that. The representations of his suffering are so powerful.
A I'm making a craft with eggshells, want to join?
B Sure, that sounds like fun! What are you making?

A These wooden eggs are just for decoration, they're not real.
B They look so realistic, I had no idea they were artificial.

A It's a custom in our family to have a big Easter feast.

B That sounds lovely. What dishes do you usually have?

A The kids are rolling eggs down the hill for an Easter game.
B That's a fun reenactment of the rolling away of the stone from Jesus' tomb.

A We have an annual Easter egg hunt in the park.

B That's a great tradition. How many people usually participate?

A I used alder wood to make this Easter basket.

B It looks beautiful, the wood has such a nice color.

A These animated Easter eggs are part of a new children's show.

B They're so cute! I'm sure kids will love them.