Post by homeylu on Apr 4, 2010 9:32:00 GMT -5
First Happy Easter to all those celebrating!
For Christians, Easter marks the historical Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the vernal equinox. This represents the beginning of the Christian traditions as we know it.
But how much of it is rooted in Pagan Tradition? Let's explore:
The modern term Easter supposedly derives from an Ancient Germanic goddess, named Eostre as attested by an 8th century scholar by the name of Bede. Eostre was the pagan goddess who was celebrated at the Spring Equinox.
Easter also corresponds with Jewish Passover feast, but of course the dates may differ according to the various calendars used for each holiday.
The lamb is the typical feast in Passover traditions. Many of these traditions go back to Ancient Egyptian times, when every spring the lamb was sacrificed for the sun god Horus. Is it possible that the Hebrew word Pssch derive from the AE word Pkhns?
Some scholars have claimed that the sun rays shine directly on the Great Sphinx every Spring Equinox, and believe there is some religious significance to this.
Even in modern Egypt, the Egyptians celebration always coincides with the Coptic Easter. This holiday is called Sham El Nassin. Some traditions include coloring eggs which represent fertility, and eating salt fish is also common which date to Ancient Egyptian times.
What other pagan traditions may be rooted in Easter?
For Christians, Easter marks the historical Crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
The First Council of Nicaea (325) established the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the full moon (the Paschal Full Moon) following the vernal equinox. This represents the beginning of the Christian traditions as we know it.
But how much of it is rooted in Pagan Tradition? Let's explore:
The modern term Easter supposedly derives from an Ancient Germanic goddess, named Eostre as attested by an 8th century scholar by the name of Bede. Eostre was the pagan goddess who was celebrated at the Spring Equinox.
Easter also corresponds with Jewish Passover feast, but of course the dates may differ according to the various calendars used for each holiday.
The lamb is the typical feast in Passover traditions. Many of these traditions go back to Ancient Egyptian times, when every spring the lamb was sacrificed for the sun god Horus. Is it possible that the Hebrew word Pssch derive from the AE word Pkhns?
Some scholars have claimed that the sun rays shine directly on the Great Sphinx every Spring Equinox, and believe there is some religious significance to this.
Even in modern Egypt, the Egyptians celebration always coincides with the Coptic Easter. This holiday is called Sham El Nassin. Some traditions include coloring eggs which represent fertility, and eating salt fish is also common which date to Ancient Egyptian times.
What other pagan traditions may be rooted in Easter?
