Easter

The Christian festival of Easter combines elements from several religious traditions. The Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the dead after his crucifixion at the time of the Jewish observance of Passover. The timing—and the name—of the festival is based on pre-Christian pagan rites at the time of the spring equinox, most likely associated with the goddess Eostre and, hence, Easter. The fertility symbols of the rabbit and the egg are likely associated with these pagan customs as well. In the contemporary age, the holiday has nonreligious associations with springtime and nature.

Easter, a major Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, has both religious and secular significance today. In the religious context, Easter has particular significance for Christians and those ...