What do the coloured eggs of Easter represent?

The pagan roots of Easter: what you didn’t know

Good day, dear listeners and viewers. Today, we take you on a journey through time—a journey that peels back the layers of one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world: Easter.

But what if we told you that what millions commemorate as the resurrection of Jesus is rooted in ancient pagan rituals? Buckle up. What you are about to hear might surprise, even shock you.

Let’s begin at the beginning—with the name itself: “Easter.”

It’s not found in the Bible. Not in Hebrew. Not in Greek. Not in Aramaic. In fact, the name “Easter” predates Christianity.

Easter comes from Eostre, or Ostara—an Anglo-Saxon goddess of dawn and spring. Her festival was celebrated around the vernal equinox, a time when the earth awakens from the dead of winter.

Fertility, renewal, and rebirth were her themes. The dawn she ruled over symbolized new beginnings. Flowers bloomed, animals bred, and people danced in fertility festivals that welcomed the warmth of the sun.

But Eostre isn’t alone. Meet Ishtar—the Babylonian goddess of love, war, and fertility. Her name, often pronounced similarly to “Easter,” carried resurrection myths. She descended into the underworld and returned again—mirroring the cycle of death and rebirth. Sound familiar?

Then there’s Ashtoreth or Astarte, mentioned in the Bible as a false deity. Worshipped with fertility rites and ritual immorality, she was revered by many ancient nations around Israel. Her ceremonies included sunrise worship and symbolic foods—rituals that eerily resemble the modern Easter sunrise service.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen—the roots of Easter are entangled in pagan fertility worship, not the commands of Scripture. But how did these ancient deities find their way into a Christian holiday?

Let’s talk about symbols.

The egg, now brightly painted and hidden in gardens, was a strong fertility symbol in many pagan religions. It represented life bursting forth from the earth’s womb. Pagans believed the egg embodied the very essence of rebirth.

The rabbit or hare, known for its extraordinary ability to reproduce, was sacred to Eostre. In her festivals, the hare symbolized fertility and new life. The so-called “Easter Bunny” has zero biblical significance. It’s a direct descendant of these old-world traditions.

So, how did Christianity absorb these pagan practices?

It’s a process called syncretism—the blending of differing religious and cultural beliefs. In the early centuries after Christ’s death, the Roman Church sought to distance itself from Jewish traditions, including the biblical Passover, and instead aligned its celebrations with popular pagan festivals to gain converts. This is where Easter stepped in to replace the Passover.

Now, let’s step back into the Scriptures, the true foundation of faith.

In Exodus 12 and Leviticus 23:5–8, the Almighty commands His people to keep the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread. Yahshua—Jesus, as He is popularly called—honored this feast with His disciples. He broke the bread. He shared the cup. And He said, “Do this in remembrance of Me” (Luke 22:19). Not once did He command a celebration of His resurrection. Not once did He paint eggs or celebrate spring.

The early believers, most of whom were Jewish, kept the Passover, not Easter. But in 325 A.D., at the Council of Nicaea, the Roman Church officially separated the Christian observance from the Jewish calendar. They replaced Passover with a new, Roman-approved celebration—Easter. The rest, as they say, is history.

But history leaves us clues. Consider this quote from The New International Dictionary of the Christian Church:

“Although the Scriptures make no provision for the observance of Easter, the Christians of the first century consciously sought to create a Christian parallel to the Jewish Passover.”

There it is: a man-made tradition, not a divine instruction.

Dig even deeper, and you’ll find more. The Dictionary of Mythology, Folklore, and Symbols describes Easter as:

“Ancient spring equinox ceremonies of sun worship… phallic rites and spring fires… the deity or offering to the deity was eaten.”

This isn’t speculation. This is well-documented history. And it comes with a sobering warning from Scripture:

In Deuteronomy 12:30–31, the Almighty says:

“Do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I will do the same.’ You shall not worship the LORD your God in that way…”

Despite this warning, many today continue to adopt pagan customs under a Christian label—choosing Easter over the biblical Passover.

But what does the Almighty truly desire?

In Leviticus 23:4–5, He says:

“These are the feasts of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at their appointed times.”

Yahshua—Jesus fulfilled the Passover. He was a prophet or messenger of God. Yet He never abolished the feast—His disciples continued to observe it (1 Corinthians 5:7–8). So why do millions celebrate a festival named after pagan goddesses?

Let’s summarize:

So, dear readers, as the season approaches and stores overflow with chocolate eggs and fluffy bunnies, pause; reflect. Is it truly about the resurrection—or is it a relic of ancient pagan worship?

What will you choose—man-made tradition or divine command?

This has been your eye-opening exposé on The Pagan Roots of Easter. Until next time, stay enlightened, stay discerning, and let the truth guide your path.

I am Chekwube Okwuonu.

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