The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

EASTER EGG CRACK

A TRADITION OF THE GREEKS AT EASTER IS THE EGG CRACK. EVERYONE GETS
A RED EGG WHICH THEY HIT AGAINST ANOTHER. IF ONE CRACKS, HE IS OUT
AND THE ONE THAT REMAINS WHOLE IS KEPT FOR SEVEN YEARS, AND
THEN IT CAN BE BROKEN. IT MUST BE A RED EGG BECAUSE RED REPRESENTS
CHRIST'S BLOOD AND THE CRACK REPRESENTS COMING OUT OF SORROW OF HIS
DEATH AND THE JOY OF HIS RISING. THIS TRADITION GOES BACK TO THE DAYS
OF CHRIST.

Submitter comment: WHEN MY NEIGHBOR TOLD ME THIS STORY, I THOUGHT THAT IT WAS A TERRIFIC
ONE. IT HAD SO MUCH MEANING TO IT. SHE REMEMBERED DOING IT WHEN SHE
WAS A CHILD.

Where learned: MICHIGAN ; DETROIT

James Callow Keyword(s): SYMBOLS

Date learned: 00-00-1980