As a child, Katie Williams was taught that an Easter egg was like a tomb, and that if it was empty and had no candy or money inside, it represented the empty tomb and Jesus' resurrection.
I think a lot of people associate spring (and eggs) with rebirth and renewal
said Williams, an Ohio University senior studying English. Things brightly colored reinforce celebration.
Coloring eggs, decorating baskets and eating chocolate bunnies are Easter traditions in many Christian households, but they may celebrate something more than religion.
There is the idea in some ancient religions that when you have spring it's like the world is coming back to life said George Weckman, professor of classics and world religions at Ohio University.
Once plants die in the winter, seeds are planted and the plant's growth in spring is like a resurrection from the dead, Weckman said.
There is also a connection between the observance of Easter and the celebration of sex and fertility that includes the symbols of eggs, rabbits and flowers, he said.
This is why you can tie together eggs and Jesus and end up with a blended celebration
which is nice in America because then people who aren't celebrating an event in the life of Jesus can still celebrate the season
Weckman said.
Even though the celebration of rebirth can be a secular tradition, the religious observance of Easter, which is this Sunday, is primarily a Christian tradition.
The Catholic observance of Easter lasts for the three days before Easter Sunday, which is called the triduum. Catholic customs include taking communion, washing another's feet, baptisms and the lighting of the Easter fire, said the Rev. Patrick Gaughan of St. Paul's Catholic Church in Athens.
There is no particular connection with fertility
but with new life
said Gaughan. The waters of baptism give new life
and the people baptized (on the Saturday before Easter) become new members.
However, the Christian celebration of Easter is primarily about the resurrection of Jesus and his crucifixion on the cross, Gaughan said.
But because the holiday is associated with fertility, some Christian denominations choose not to celebrate Easter.
Jehovah's Witnesses do not celebrate Easter because of its close ties with fertility and customs that are non-Christian in origin
said Matthew Stallard, a member of the Jehovah's Witness congregation in Athens and an OU English professor.
Another reason Jehovah's Witnesses do not observe Easter is because their interpretation of the Bible does not encourage the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, but instead commands followers to continue to commemorate his death, Stallard said.
Jehovah's Witnesses refer to this as the Memorial, and observe this holiday instead of Easter. This year, the holiday begins today at sundown.
It is more important to recognize the significance of (Jesus') death ... but this isn't a morbid celebration. It is actually a very happy occasion
Stallard said.
Customs of Memorial do not include the coloring or hiding of eggs, as do Christian practices of Easter, because of the connection with fertility.
Some customs of Christian festivals detract from the simplicity of Jesus' message and what he was really there to do
said Stallard. Ancient Jews were commanded to abstain from religious fertility rites
