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Of all the symbols associated with Easter, the egg, the symbol of fertility and new life, is the most identifiable. The customs and traditions of using eggs have been associated with Easter for centuries. Originally Easter eggs were painted with bright colors to represent the sunlight of spring and were used in Easter-egg rolling contests or given as gifts. After they were colored and etched with various designs the eggs were exchanged by lovers and romantic admirers, much the same as valentines. In medieval time eggs were traditionally given at Easter to the servants. In Germany eggs were given to children along with other Easter gifts. Different cultures have developed their own ways of decorating Easter eggs. Crimson eggs, to honor the blood of Christ, are exchanged in Greece. In parts of Germany and Austria green eggs are used on Maundy Thursday (Holy Thursday). The Slavic people decorate their eggs in special patterns of gold and silver. In Germany and other countries eggs used for cooking where not broken, but the contents were removed by piercing the end of each egg with a needle and blowing the contents into a bowl. The hollow eggs were dyed and hung from shrubs and trees during the Easter Week. The Armenians would decorate hollow eggs with pictures of Christ, the Virgin Mary, and other religious designs. At the Jewish Passover Seder, a hard-boiled egg dipped in salt water symbolizes both new life and the Passover sacrifice offered at the Temple in Jerusalem.
Tags:
easter
eggs
origins
of
the
tradition
Added: 22nd March 2008
Views: 114
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Posted By: Naomi |
 
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If there is a castle that comes close to matching Harlech Castle in historical importance, that castle is surely Chepstow. Chepstow is a Norman castle perched high above the banks of the river Wye in southeast Wales. Construction began at Chepstow in 1067, less than a year after William the Conqueror was crowned King of England. It was his master castle builder in the person of his loyal Norman lord William FitzOsbern. FitzOsbern's fortresses were the vehicles from which the new king consolidated control of his newly conquered lands. Chepstow Castle became the key launching point for expeditions into Wales, expeditions that eventually subdued the rebellious population.
Photos
Char
Terry Winter
becky.bryan
Red Kit
Nigel Feasey
scuba_dooba
Karen McCort
Phillip Parr
Joe Dunckley
Maggie McDonnell
mrabanalc
miss.piccolo
mrssleepy(Rachelle Sadler)
Jon Combe
Martin
Morland Marauder
Karen & J.J. Morton
Roman Solowiej
kfy
Doug Woods
TimS
Simon
Music
The Angels of Venice
dragonfly
Mediaeval Baebes
gaudete
Jeff van Dyck
medieval II
cathedral of doom
Hans Zimmer
strength and honor
Hans Zimmer and Enya
now we are free
conceived and produced by
Dale Caruso
For more information about the Castles and Abbeys of Wales Visit
http://www.castlewales.com/
And for more information about Jeff van Dyck's soundtrack track for the
PC Game Total War and for information about the game itself, visit
www.totalwar.com/
Tags:
Medieval
Castles
Wales
12th
Century
Wye
River
Normans
Added: 27th September 2008
Views: 60
Rating: 
Posted By: dalecaruso |
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