Easter egg / Simbolistica oualor de Pasti

Easter eggs are special eggs that are often given to celebrate Easter or springtime.

Eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of fertility, and rebirth. In Christianity, they symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus: though an egg appears to be like the stone of a tomb, a bird hatches from it with life; similarly, the Easter egg, for Christians, is a reminder that Jesus rose from the grave, and that those who believe will also experience eternal life.In the Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, Easter eggs are dyed red to represent the blood of Christ, shed on the Cross, and the hard shell of the egg symbolized the sealed Tomb of Christ — the cracking of which symbolized his resurrection from the dead. The egg is seen by followers of Christianity as a symbol of resurrection: while being dormant it contains a new life sealed within it.

In traditia populara de la noi, oul rosu de Pasti simbolizeaza sangele Domnului si ar avea puteri miraculoase, de vindecare, de indepartare a raului, fiind purtator de sanatate, frumusete, vigoare si spor. Ouale colorate in alte culori (galben, verde, albastru) vestesc bucuria primaverii. Cele colorate in negru simbolizeaza chinul si durerea pe care le-a suferit Hristos pe cruce. Ouale inchistrite sunt simbolul Mintuitorului, care a iesit din mormant si a inviat, precum puiul din gaoace.
Ciocnitul oualor semnifica sacrificiul divinitatii primordiale si se face dupa reguli precise: persoana mai in varsta (de obicei barbatul) ciocneste capul oului de capul oului tinut in mana de partener, in timp ce rosteste cunoscuta formula “Hristos a inviat”, la care se raspunde cu “Adevarat a inviat”.