Long the symbol of fertility, new beginnings, and overall new life, the egg has played an important role in customs for centuries.  The art of decorating this simple shape varies from country to country according to different customs handed down throughout history.  Regardless of the culture in question, the old adage that “All live comes from an egg” holds true.

The tradition of dyeing an egg is very popular worldwide.  In Rome, Greece, Persia, and ancient Egypt, eggs are dyed before being eaten. In China, eggs dyed red are passed out after the birth of a healthy baby.  This tradition stems from the view that eggs represent the universe and help in the continuation of life, and aren’t necessarily tied into Easter.

Perhaps most famously, though, eggs have long been a symbol of the primarily Christian-based Easter.  The ways that eggs are decorated for this holiday varies from country to country.  In Germany, for example, a very small hole is placed on the top and on the bottom.  People then blow the yolk out of the bottom and then hang the now-empty egg on a tree much like an ornament.  Armenians, on the other hand, are more overtly religious by putting pictures of the Virgin Mary, Jesus, and various other religious icons on their eggs.

In Austria, ferns and various other types of plants are attached to the egg before being boiled.  After the egg is boiled, the plants are removed.  Underneath where the plant was touching the egg a pattern appears on the shell.  In Belgium, the Bells of Rome are associated with the Easter Bunny bringing brightly-decorated eggs.  In order to hear the bells all the way in Rome, Belgium celebrates the “Stille Zaterdag” which means silent Saturday.

Easter egg hunts are popular in many countries.  In America, for example, the White House always holds an Easter egg hunt each year.  For this hunt, gorgeously-decorated wooden eggs are placed on the lawn of the famous house.  Children invited to this special event are informed that the eggs have been left by the Easter Bunny.  Across the country, the action is mirrored by many families that partake in outdoor Easter egg hunts.  In England, men and boys go out on the night before Easter throughout the town while begging for eggs.  In the morning, traditionally, they then put on a play for Easter.

The way that Easter is celebrated in Norway is somewhat surprising.  After spending the day relaxing or decorating eggs, the entire country devotes attention to solving murders.  The media features unsolved murder mysteries and people work together to try and figure them out.  Featured on books, TV, and milk cartons, the entire country comes together to try and solve things.

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