1、备课资料Easter TraditionsHot Cross BunsAt the feast of Eostre, the Saxon fertility Goddess, an ox was sacrificed. The oxs horns became a symbol for the feast. They were carved into the ritual bread. Thus originated “hot cross buns”. The word “buns” is derived from the Saxon word “boun” which means “sacr
2、ed ox”.Later, the symbol of a symmetrical cross was used to decorate the buns; the cross represented the moon, the heavenly body associated with the Goddess, and its four quarters. Easter Rabbit and EggsThe symbols of the Norse Goddess Ostara were the hare and the egg. Both represented fertility. Fr
3、om these, we have inherited the customs and symbols of the Easter egg and Easter rabbit. Dyed eggs also formed part of the rituals of the ancient, pre-Christian Babylonian mystery religions. Eggs were sacred to many ancient civilizations and formed an integral part of religious ceremonies in Egypt a
4、nd the Orient. Dyed eggs were hung in Egyptian temples, and the egg was regarded as the emblem of regenerative life proceeding from the mouth of the great Egyptian god. We have talked about this in the last part.Easter Sunrise ServiceThis custom can be traced back to the ancient Pagan custom of welc
5、oming the sun God at the vernal equinoxwhen daytime is about to exceed the length of the nighttime. It was a time to “celebrate the return of life and reproduction to animal and plant life as well”.Easter CandlesThese are sometimes lit in churches on the eve of Easter Sunday. Some commentators believe that these can be directly linked to the Pagan customs of lighting bonfires at this time of year to welcome the rebirth/resurrection of the sun God.
