Fishing on the Net

By Bonnie Nelson

Happy Easter!

Easter is a time of rebirth and resurrection. It was first celebrated by the pagans around the vernal equinox. The equinox occurs each year on March 20, 21 or 22, and notes the beginning of spring. The word Easter comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Our Easter Bunny is based on this old celebration. Rabbits and hares are a symbol of new life and the rebirth that occurs each spring.

German ancestors who immigrated to America brought us the tradition of the Easter Bunny. They called it ìOscheter Hawsî. The Easter Bunny would visit houses on the eve of Easter and leave colored eggs for the children. Each color represented the sunlight of spring. Later, Christians used the egg to symbolize Christís rebirth. They were also used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After the eggs were colored and etched with various designs , they were exchanged by lovers and romantic admirers. In medieval time eggs were traditionally given at Easter to the servants. In Germany eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts.

Other cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs and exchanging eggs. Here are a few: (http://www.holidays.net/easter/eggs.htm).

* Greece--Crimson eggs honored the blood of Christ,

* Germany and Austria--green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday).

* Slavic peoples decorate their eggs in special patterns of gold and silver.

* Austrian artists design patterns by fastening ferns and tiny plants around the eggs, which are then boiled. The plants are then removed revealing a striking white pattern.

* Poles and Ukrainians decorate eggs with simple designs and colors. A number of eggs are made in the distinctive manner called pysanki (to design, to write).

Use your imagination in coloring your Easter eggs. You can use any of these things to decorate your eggs:

* Paints

* ribbons

* sequins

* glitter

* lace

* colored foil

* felt tip pens

* fabric scraps

Use candles to drip wax onto eggs. When the wax sets, dip the egg into some dye. Take the egg out and let it drain. You can either peel the wax off or you can drip some more on and dip it in a different color. Just another hint - use the lighter colors first. When you have finished, carefully peel off the wax.

Whatever method you use to decorate your eggs, enjoy the time you spend with the family. And, Happy Easter!

Bonnie Nelson is a freelance writer living in Fountain, CO. If you have comments or questions, email her at waltbon@comcast.net

CONTACT THE WRITER • WALTBON@COMCAST.nET

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