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Easter egg
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<p>Easter eggs, also called Paschal eggs, are <a href="/facts/Egg/2a1McdtR">eggs</a> that are <a href="/facts/Egg_decorating/cxYITkCL">decorated</a> for the Christian holiday of <a href="/facts/Easter/LYPGCQge">Easter</a>, which celebrates the <a href="/facts/Resurrection_of_Jesus/6oxjSUry">resurrection of Jesus</a>. As such, Easter eggs are commonly used during the season of <a href="/facts/Eastertide/JXx9WWDz">Eastertide</a> (Easter season). The oldest tradition, which continues to be used in <a href="/facts/Central_Europe/VdxzSbJz">Central</a> and <a href="/facts/Eastern_Europe/f5CDGzNA">Eastern Europe</a>, is to dye and paint chicken eggs. </p><p>Although eggs, in general, were a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth, in <a href="/facts/Christianity/nKyJHlqq">Christianity</a>, for the celebration of Eastertide, Easter eggs symbolize the <a href="/facts/Empty_tomb/8dJIRdLA">empty tomb</a> of <a href="/facts/Jesus/Hcd9hEzI">Jesus</a>, from which Jesus was <a href="/facts/Resurrection_of_Jesus/6oxjSUry">resurrected</a>. In addition, one ancient tradition was the staining of Easter eggs with the colour red "in memory of the <a href="/facts/Blood_of_Christ/NQn19F0U">blood of Christ</a>, shed as at that time of his crucifixion." </p><p>This custom of the Easter egg, according to many sources, can be traced to <a href="/facts/Early_Christians/LmdNJmea">early Christians</a> of <a href="/facts/Mesopotamia/f0mmbhTK">Mesopotamia</a>, and from there it spread into Eastern Europe and Siberia through the Orthodox Churches, and later into Europe through the Catholic and Protestant Churches. Additionally, the widespread usage of Easter eggs, according to mediaevalist scholars, is due to the prohibition of eggs during <a href="/facts/Lent/DCjMp9Ly">Lent</a> after which, on Easter, they are blessed for the occasion. </p><p>A modern custom in some places is to substitute chocolate eggs wrapped in coloured <a href="/facts/Foil_(metal)/BQtcgnFs">foil</a>, hand-carved wooden eggs, or plastic eggs filled with <a href="/facts/Confectionery/7h760gLH">confectionery</a> such as <a href="/facts/Chocolate/4drs8ryf">chocolate</a>. </p>