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many countries, people eat a leg of lamb on Easter Sunday. The Cross The symbol of the cross has been associated with Christianity and Easter since the first centuries after Jesus' death. The cross was a symbol of Jesus, who died to save all those who receive baptism, it was also a symbol of cruelty throughout the Roman Empire. Today Christians view the cross as a symbol of courage and salvation. In Anglo-Saxon countries, people bake "hot cross buns" (buns marked with a cross) that they eat on Good Friday. The lily This flower; which is also an Easter symbol, is a Japanese flower. The lily is the symbol of the arrival of the Spring, purity and holiness. This flower is known for its beauty and its pride. A legend says that at the time Jesus went to a place, all the flowers, plants and animals bowed to his passage, except the lilies: they were too proud. But when the lilies saw Jesus on the cross, their head bent and since that day, they continue to bend their head as a sign of respect. Nice legend, isn't it? The Easter Water It is an old custom that disappears... Unknown today, the Easter water was an important Easter element for our ancestors as it was deemed to have very beneficent virtues. Early in the morning, before the sunrise, people went to the river and brought several gallons water. The Easter water and a branch that people received at the church on the Sunday before Easter Sunday were used the bless the home and protect it against inclemencies. People also drank this water to cure diseases. Now that you know the origins and symbols of the holiday of Easter, I wish you a happy Easter! Article by Holly Day. Courtesy of Articlesbase.com


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