Is ‘modern day’ Easter all about fluffy bunnies and an overdose of chocolate, or is it a time for quiet reflection?

For Christians, Easter is a celebration of Jesus rising from the grave three days after his crucifixion on Good Friday. It is celebrated on the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox – typically coinciding with Jewish Passover. Easter Sunday is preceded by 40 days of Lent.

Hot cross buns are traditionally eaten during Lent until Good Friday marked with a cross. Forklore says sharing one will ensure friendship throughout the year and, if given to someone who is ill, will help them recover.

From a more secular view Easter is associated with fertility and rebirth. The Easter bunny most likely evolved from the German tradition of the “Oschter Haws” or “Easter Hare” which laid brightly coloured eggs for well-behaved children to find – much like our Easter-egg hunts today.

Thought to be a time of new beginnings, Easter was a time to wear new clothes – a bonnet was a popular culture where ladies would decorate their hats with brightly coloured ribbons and flowers as depicted in the 1948 musical ‘Easter Parade’.

Symbolism of The Passiflora

The pointed tips of the leaves depict the Holy Lance, the tendrils represent the whips used in the flagellation of Christ. Five petals and five sepals are the ten faithful apostles excluding Judas Iscariot the betrayer and St. Peter the denier. The corona filaments which can number more than one hundred are the crown of thorns. The hammer or the holy grail are represented by the chalice-shaped ovary with its receptacle. The three stigma represent the three nails and the five anthers below them are the five wounds Christ suffered. Heaven and purity are symbolised by the blue and white colours of the flower.