Zombie Jesus Day

This Sunday is of course Zombie Jesus Day. The day Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, by having Easter egg hunts, taking pictures with the Easter Bunny, eating lamb or ham, and exchanging gift baskets.

Man, I love Blasphemy

"Don't forget the TRUE meaning of Easter?!?"

I'm not sure how often I hear this one, but it does come up. Of course, not as often as the proclamation of the true meaning behind Christmas. But like Christmas, it has a much older meaning than Christians claim.

The word 'Easter' comes from the Old-English name for the Saxon's Mother goddess, Eostre. Eostre was the Goddess of fertility, renewal and (re)birth. Rabbits and eggs have been ancient symbols for fertility and birth in many different cultures.

Eggs were originally painted and decorated for the Persian New Year (transliterated: "Noruuz") and were symbolic of the birth and life in the Spring time. Spring is the time of the new year and the time when plants came to bloom, and the days become longer than the nights. The egg was also used in Northen European traditions of springtime. The rabbits also have traditions of fertility in Northern Europe and even in Aztec Central America. Ironically however, the Jew's symbolize rabbits as cowards.

I do enjoy the link between bunnies, eggs and Jesus in South Park. Watch it here.

Watch out for Zombie Jesus.