1. Happy Easter It’s a celebration of new life. It’s a celebration of new life.

2. Easter is a Christian holiday.

3. When Is Easter? It is always on Sunday. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21st. It is always on Sunday. Easter falls on the first Sunday after the first full moon after March 21st.

4. Easter from 2006 ~ 2012 16April 2006 16April 2006 8 April 2007 8 April 2007 23 March 2008 23 March 2008 12 April 2009 12 April 2009 4 April 2010 4 April 2010 24 April 2011 24 April 2011 8 April 2012 8 April 2012

5. Christiana say Jesus died on Good Friday. On the 3rd day, he rose from the dead. He became alive again.

6. Christians go to church, sing and pray on Easter Sunday. It’s a celebration of new life.

7. Flowers, chicks, eggs and rabbits are all symbols of Easter. They are symbols of new life.

8. The Word "Easter" Centuries before Christ, the pagan tribes of Europe worshipped a beautiful goddess of spring named Eostre (EE-ah-tra). Centuries before Christ, the pagan tribes of Europe worshipped a beautiful goddess of spring named Eostre (EE-ah-tra). Festivals celebrating the end of winter and the birth of spring were held in her honor at the end of March, the time of the vernal equinox.

9. Pagan: Pagan: A person who did not believe in Christianity A person who did not believe in Christianity

10. Vernal equinox: Vernal equinox: one of the 2 times in the year, around 20 March in spring （ the sun is above EQUATOR and day & night are of equal length ） one of the 2 times in the year, around 20 March in spring （ the sun is above EQUATOR and day & night are of equal length ）

11. Some historians believe the word Easter is a variation of her name. Others see a connection between Easter and the rising of the sun in the east. Others see a connection between Easter and the rising of the sun in the east.

12. Christ Story Easter Symbols and Legends Bunny Bunny Believed to lay and hide Easter eggs. Believed to lay and hide Easter eggs.

13. Little children believe in the Easter Bunny. Little children believe in the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny hides many colored eggs and candy. The Easter Bunny hides many colored eggs and candy.

14. On Easter morning, the children hunt for their eggs and candy, too. They like to play games with eggs.

15. Children roll eggs down a hill or have an Easter egg hunt.

16. Families eat a big dinner on Easter Sunday.

17. Butterfly Symbolizes the life cycle of Jesus and the Christian in the following order: the caterpillar stage represents natural earthly life; the cocoon represents death of the body; the butterfly emerging from the cocoon represents the resurrection. Symbolizes the life cycle of Jesus and the Christian in the following order: the caterpillar stage represents natural earthly life; the cocoon represents death of the body; the butterfly emerging from the cocoon represents the resurrection.

18. Resurrection: Resurrection: when Jesus Christ returned to life again after his death when Jesus Christ returned to life again after his death

19. Cross The Castilian donkey received the cross- shaped patch of hair which grows on its back and shoulders when he carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday. The Castilian donkey received the cross- shaped patch of hair which grows on its back and shoulders when he carried Jesus into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

20. Palm Sunday: Palm Sunday: the Sunday before Easter the Sunday before Easter

21. Eagle Believed to have life- restoring qualities like those of the phoenix. Believed to have life- restoring qualities like those of the phoenix.phoenix Symbolizes the rebirth of man in baptism since it restores itself by flying close enough to the sun to set its feathers afire and then diving into the water to be reborn. Symbolizes the rebirth of man in baptism since it restores itself by flying close enough to the sun to set its feathers afire and then diving into the water to be reborn.

22. Baptism: Baptism: a Christian ceremony in which a few drops of water are poured on somebody to welcome him/her a Christian ceremony in which a few drops of water are poured on somebody to welcome him/her

23. Egg The shell can be seen as a nurturing, life giving tomb. The shell can be seen as a nurturing, life giving tomb. The hatching chick represents Christ emerging from the tomb. The hatching chick represents Christ emerging from the tomb. The resurrection symbolism of the egg is enhanced by the legend of the phoenix. The resurrection symbolism of the egg is enhanced by the legend of the phoenix.phoenix

24. Enhance: Enhance: to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of sb./sth. to increase or further improve the good quality, value or status of sb./sth.

25. Hare The hare is a symbol of the moon. The hare is a symbol of the moon. It became associated with Easter because the moon is used to determine the date of Easter. It became associated with Easter because the moon is used to determine the date of Easter.

26. The Lamb of God The blood of the Passover lamb caused the angel of death to "pass over" the Israelites. The blood of the Passover lamb caused the angel of death to "pass over" the Israelites. John the Baptist calls Jesus "The Lamb of God, which took away the sin of the world" (John 1:29). John the Baptist calls Jesus "The Lamb of God, which took away the sin of the world" (John 1:29).

27. Passover: Passover: the Jewish religious festival and holiday in memory of the Jews from Egypt the Jewish religious festival and holiday in memory of the Jews from Egypt

28. Lion Additionally, the lion became a symbol of the resurrection because it was believed to be born dead. Additionally, the lion became a symbol of the resurrection because it was believed to be born dead. After 3 days, one of the cub's parents breathes life into it. After 3 days, one of the cub's parents breathes life into it.

29. Peacock Symbolizes immortality and the resurrection since its flesh was once believed to be incorruptible or immune to decay. Symbolizes immortality and the resurrection since its flesh was once believed to be incorruptible or immune to decay.

30. Immune: Immune: that cannot catch or to be affected by a particular disease that cannot catch or to be affected by a particular disease

31. Pelican It was believed to feed its babies with its own blood which the pelican caused to flow by piercing its own breast with its beak. It was believed to feed its babies with its own blood which the pelican caused to flow by piercing its own breast with its beak.

32. phoenix phoenix The phoenix lived for 500 years between rejuvenations. The phoenix lived for 500 years between rejuvenations. Every 500 years, it created a combination funeral pyre/nest for itself of spices and herbs, sat on it and set itself on fire. Every 500 years, it created a combination funeral pyre/nest for itself of spices and herbs, sat on it and set itself on fire.

33. Rejuvenation: Rejuvenation: making sb./sth. look or feel younger or more lively making sb./sth. look or feel younger or more lively

34. When the fire died down, an egg would be found among the ashes from which the phoenix which laid it would hatch. When the fire died down, an egg would be found among the ashes from which the phoenix which laid it would hatch.

35. Pike's Head Pike's Head Bears a cross, three nails, and a sword because during the crucifixion all the other fish hid under the sea in terror but curiosity caused the pike to watch the whole thing. Pike's Head Bears a cross, three nails, and a sword because during the crucifixion all the other fish hid under the sea in terror but curiosity caused the pike to watch the whole thing.

36. Robin Redbreast When God created the robin redbreast, He told the bird he must remain plain and gray until he earned his red badge of courage. When God created the robin redbreast, He told the bird he must remain plain and gray until he earned his red badge of courage.

37. At Golgotha, the robin, seeking to relieve the sufferings of the Savior, overcame his fear of the mocking crowd, flew to Christ and pulled a thorn out of his head. At Golgotha, the robin, seeking to relieve the sufferings of the Savior, overcame his fear of the mocking crowd, flew to Christ and pulled a thorn out of his head. The blood from the thorn's wound dripped on to the robin's breast and has caused it to be red ever since. The blood from the thorn's wound dripped on to the robin's breast and has caused it to be red ever since.

38. Swallow Since this bird hibernates in the mud during the winter, his awakening in the spring is a symbol of the resurrection.

39. Easter Eggs The egg has been called nature's most perfect container. The egg has been called nature's most perfect container. It also is the world's most popular secular symbol for Easter.

40. Secular: Secular: not connected with spiritual or religious matters not connected with spiritual or religious matters

41. In all cultures, the egg symbolizes the beginning of life or the universe. In all cultures, the egg symbolizes the beginning of life or the universe. A Latin proverb says, "All life comes from an egg." A Latin proverb says, "All life comes from an egg." Eggs were dyed and eaten during spring festivals in ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome and colored eggs were given as gifts to celebrate the coming of spring. Eggs were dyed and eaten during spring festivals in ancient Egypt, Persia, Greece and Rome and colored eggs were given as gifts to celebrate the coming of spring.

42. Christians of the Near East adopted this tradition and the egg became a religious symbol – it represented the tomb from which Jesus broke forth. Christians of the Near East adopted this tradition and the egg became a religious symbol – it represented the tomb from which Jesus broke forth.

43. The various customs associated with Easter eggs were not recorded in Western Europe until the 15th century. The various customs associated with Easter eggs were not recorded in Western Europe until the 15th century. Speculation is that missionaries or knights of the Crusades were responsible for bringing the tradition of coloring eggs westward. Speculation is that missionaries or knights of the Crusades were responsible for bringing the tradition of coloring eggs westward.

44. More than 1 billion Easter eggs are hunted in the United States each year in parks, back yards, and on the White House lawn. More than 1 billion Easter eggs are hunted in the United States each year in parks, back yards, and on the White House lawn.

45. Chocolate or candy eggs emerged in the late 1800s. Chocolate or candy eggs emerged in the late 1800s. Plastic Easter eggs made their debut in the early 1960s. More than 100 million plastic eggs are purchased for Easter. Plastic Easter eggs made their debut in the early 1960s. More than 100 million plastic eggs are purchased for Easter.

46. Hares are born with their eyes open, while rabbits are born blind. Hares are born with their eyes open, while rabbits are born blind. The hare was thought never to blink or close its eyes, and it is a nocturnal creature, like the moon. The hare was thought never to blink or close its eyes, and it is a nocturnal creature, like the moon.

47. According to one legend, the Easter bunny was originally a large, handsome bird belonging to the goddess Eostre. According to one legend, the Easter bunny was originally a large, handsome bird belonging to the goddess Eostre. One day she magically changed her pet bird into a hare. One day she magically changed her pet bird into a hare. Because the Easter bunny is still a bird at heart, he continues to build a straw nest and fill it with eggs. Because the Easter bunny is still a bird at heart, he continues to build a straw nest and fill it with eggs.

48. Easter Lily The lily is a symbol of purity because of its whiteness and delicacy of form. The lily is a symbol of purity because of its whiteness and delicacy of form. It also symbolizes innocence and the radiance of the Lord's risen life. It is called the Easter lily because the flowers bloom in early spring, around Easter time. It is called the Easter lily because the flowers bloom in early spring, around Easter time.

49. Hot Cross Buns One of the oldest Good Friday customs is eating hot cross buns. One of the oldest Good Friday customs is eating hot cross buns.

50. These small sweet buns, marked with a cross of white icing, may have originated in pre-Christian times. Early Egyptians, Greeks and Romans marked their loaves of bread with symbols to honor their gods and goddesses.

51. Many superstitions grew out of this custom – a cross bun kept from one Good Friday to the next was thought to bring luck, the buns were supposed to serve as a charm against shipwreck. Many superstitions grew out of this custom – a cross bun kept from one Good Friday to the next was thought to bring luck, the buns were supposed to serve as a charm against shipwreck.

52. Dogwood Tree/Cross As one legend goes, at the time of Christ's crucifixion, the dogwood tree was as tall as the oak and other forest trees. As one legend goes, at the time of Christ's crucifixion, the dogwood tree was as tall as the oak and other forest trees. Its wood was so strong and firm that it was chosen for the cross

53. The tree was very distressed to be used for such a purpose and Jesus understood. The tree was very distressed to be used for such a purpose and Jesus understood. He told the tree, "Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, I promise this: never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. He told the tree, "Because of your regret and pity for my suffering, I promise this: never again shall the dogwood tree grow large enough to be used for a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross. Henceforth it shall be slender and bent and twisted, and its blossoms shall be in the form of a cross.

54. Easter Parade and Wearing New Clothes In the early church, those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil dressed in white robes and wore the robes during Easter week as a symbol of their new life in Christ. In the early church, those who were baptized at the Easter Vigil dressed in white robes and wore the robes during Easter week as a symbol of their new life in Christ.

55. People who had been baptized in previous years wore new clothes to indicate their sharing in the new life. People who had been baptized in previous years wore new clothes to indicate their sharing in the new life. New clothes at Easter became a symbol of Easter grace. New clothes at Easter became a symbol of Easter grace.

56. In Europe during the Middle Ages, people in their new clothes would take a long walk after mass, which has evolved into the tradition of Easter Parades. In Europe during the Middle Ages, people in their new clothes would take a long walk after mass, which has evolved into the tradition of Easter Parades. An American belief is that good luck can be ensured for the year by wearing three new things on Easter Sunday. An American belief is that good luck can be ensured for the year by wearing three new things on Easter Sunday.

57. Easter Sunrise Service The Easter custom of the sunrise religious service was brought to America by Protestant immigrants from Moravia who held the first such service in Bethlehem, Pa., in 1741. The Easter custom of the sunrise religious service was brought to America by Protestant immigrants from Moravia who held the first such service in Bethlehem, Pa., in 1741.

58. Sunrise services also may be related to the Easter fires held on hilltops in continuation of the New Year fires. It’s welcoming the sun and its great power to bring new life to the world.

59. The famous sunrise service on Mount Rubidoux in California was first held in 1909. The famous sunrise service on Mount Rubidoux in California was first held in 1909. One of the best- known sunrise services is at the Hollywood Bowl, which began in 1921. One of the best- known sunrise services is at the Hollywood Bowl, which began in 1921.

60. Easter Weather Superstitions If it rains on Easter Sunday, it will rain the following seven Sundays. If it rains on Easter Sunday, it will rain the following seven Sundays. A white Christmas will bring a green Easter, and a green Christmas will bring a white Easter A white Christmas will bring a green Easter, and a green Christmas will bring a white Easter