Celebrating the Easter Bunny 庆祝复活节兔子
[audio]http://www.24en.com/bbc/dl_mp3/200804213455931489.mp3[/audio][color=#3f3f3f][font=Verdana, 宋体, helvetica, arial, sans-serif][size=12px][p=21, 2, left]The Easter bunny has arrived, chocolate [b]Easter eggs[/b] are in the shops, the daffodils are out, and the weather is getting better![/p][p=21, 2, left]Easter is a great time of year, but what are its origins?[/p][p=21, 2, left]Originally Easter was called Pascha after the Hebrew word for [b]Passover[/b], a[b]Jewish[/b] festival that happens at this time of year. It was replaced by Easter, a word which is believed to have evolved from Eostre, the name of the [b]Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility and springtime[/b].[/p][p=21, 2, left]The date of Easter is determined by the [b]lunar calendar[/b]. In 2008, the Easter weekend starts with Good Friday on 21st March and ends on Easter Monday, 24 March.[/p][p=21, 2, left]There are many food traditions [url=http://d.24en.com/s/?wd=celebrate]celebrate[/url]d at this time of year.[/p][p=21, 2, left][b]Hot cross buns[/b] are a favourite for many in the United Kingdom, and are thought to have originated from the [b]ancient Greeks and Egyptians[/b] who ate small cakes or buns in honour of the respective goddesses that they worshipped. Buns marked with a cross were eaten by the Saxons to honour a goddess. It is thought the bun represented the moon and the cross, its four quarters. To Christians, the cross symbolises the crucifixion.[/p][p=21, 2, left]In [b]Scandinavia[/b], Easter Pasha is eaten. This is a fluffy creamy pudding, which is very light and sweet, and in Finland a strange mixture of[b]molasses[/b] and rye flour is served at this time of year. It dates back to the sixteenth century and is called M?mmi.[/p][p=21, 2, left]Of course Easter wouldn’t be Easter without eggs! The tradition of colouring eggs in bright colours goes back to the [b]Middle Ages[/b]. It is said that this represents the sunlight of spring. In Germany it is [b]traditional[/b] to paint eggs green, while in [b]Greek and Slavic cultures[/b] eggs are dyed red as a symbol of the blood of Christ.[/p][p=21, 2, left]For many, Easter [b]symbolises[/b] new life, and images of new born chicks, and rabbits (or bunnies) are to be seen everywhere, on [b]television[/b],[b]Easter cards[/b], and on eggs.[/p][/size][/font][/color]
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