Vigo County Historical Society

Easter display may be ‘eggs’-actly what you’d like to view

Easter, like all holidays, comes with its own set of customs and traditions. Many children’s activities center around one Easter symbol--the egg. But, how did this small oval food product become a symbol of Easter time?

Around the world, the egg has been seen as a symbol of creation and new birth. It is thought that because Easter celebrates the Resurrection and rebirth of Christ, people of ancient times began to associate the egg with this feast.

In France, people presented the finest of their hen’s eggs to the king each Easter. They were then gilded, the baskets of eggs blessed, and distributed to members of the court after High Mass in the chapel of the Louvre.

The brightly colored and gilt eggs of Italy were piled onto a cart for a blessing in the churches and later used as centerpieces along with flowers for family Easter dinners.

On Easter, children of Northern Wales banged wooden clappers as they went from house to house asking for eggs. Those who presented them with an egg were said to find peace.

In eastern Europe, decorating eggs became an art form. The beautifully ornate Pysanky of the Ukrainians are typical and one of these masterpieces can take weeks to complete. The eggs were preserved and treasured and were believed to bring luck to the household throughout the year.

In Russia, Peter Carl Faberge fashioned the first of the Imperial Easter eggs for the Empress Marie in 1883. Faberge eggs are now priceless and found in museums or most valued private collections.

In America today, youngsters delight in coloring eggs and having Easter egg hunts. Now coins or candy are hidden in plastic eggs. Chocolate eggs are favorites in Easter baskets.

Examples of decorative eggs, Victorian baskets, and bunnies may be seen in a display case in the Vigo County Historical Museum entry hall.

In an ancient legend, the tale is told that the world would end if Easter came and not one egg was decorated. Surely, this can’t be true. Still, it never hurts to color a few eggs.