Like many spring holidays, Easter celebrates rebirth. Specifically, Easter celebrates the rebirth of the Messiah Jesus Christ, but still retains elements of other spring holidays.

One of the most iconic symbols of Easter is the Easter egg. In many cultures, the egg was used as a symbol of rebirth as it is a round capsule used to shepherd life into the world. The Christians continue this symbolism by claiming the cracking of the egg being symbolic of the opening of Jesus’s tomb. Additionally, Easter eggs were traditionally red to symbolize the blood of Christ that was shed to wash away sin.

How to make deviled-pickled eggs:

6 pickled eggs

1/4 cup of mayonnaise

1 tsp of white vinegar

1 tsp of yellow mustard

Black pepper and minced chives

Cut the eggs in half, lengthwise and place the yolks into a mixing bowl. Mash and mix the remaining ingredients with the yolks and fill the pits of the eggs with the mixture.

Another major symbol of Easter is the Easter Bunny. The rabbit was believed to be a hermaphrodite and so was capable of a virgin birth, this granted them the association with the virgin mother Mary. The three hares symbol was also adopted by Christianity to symbolize the holy trinity, so rabbits and hares had a firm position in Christian belief.

The egg hiding motif of the rabbit originated in Germany with the Osterhaus, Easter Hare. The Osterhaus came about when a large hare was seen bounding away from the easter eggs the parents hid for the kids to find. The parents told the kids that the rabbit laid the colourful eggs and the myth became popular.

How to make bunny buns:

2 1/2 cups of flour

2 tbsp of sugar

1/4 oz dry yeast

1 tsp of salt

1 cup of sour cream

1/4 cup of water

2 tbsp of butter

1 egg

Slowly combine all of the ingredients in a mixing bowl and let it sit for a half-hour. Divide the dough into round, equal portions on a lined baking sheet. Cut and shape ears and eyes. Bake for ten minutes at 375.

The main aspect of Easter is the resurrection of Christ. After proclaiming that he was the King of the Jews he was arrested for blasphemous accusations and was crucified. Joseph of Arimathea took Jesus off the cross and laid him in a tomb and three days later he was reanimated.

While in jail Jesus was given a crown of thorns, and in modern interpretation, it is remembered with crown-shaped bread adorn with eggs.

How to make Easter egg bread:

2 1/2 cups of flour

1/4 cups of sugar

1 tsp of salt

1/4 oz of dry yeast

2/3 cups of milk

2 tbsp of softened butter

2 normal eggs

5 Easter eggs

Butter

Oil

In a large bowl combine all of the ingredients except the Easter eggs. Knead the dough until smooth and elastic. Put the dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover for an hour. Deflate the dough and transfer to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into halves and let sit for ten minutes. Roll the dough into long strands and weave them together into a wreath while making sure that there are pockets for the five eggs.

Preheat the oven to 350. Set the loaf on a buttered surface and cover with a damp towel for 45 minutes. Brush loaf with butter. Place the bread into the oven and bake for thirty minutes or until golden brown.