Who knows which goddess best represents the Easter holiday?
342517
Ostara is the one I believe most closely matches Easter. She represents fertility and renewal just as spring has sprung. \n\nDid you know: Eggs were (and still are!) dyed or painted bright colors as an offering to Ostara. Dawn is the best time to invoke her. In days of old, fires were lit at dawn in her honor. It always amazes me how traditions like this survive over the millennia.---
306254
Easter has nothing to do with Jesus christ. It was made up by false religions. It's a lie.\n\n\nEaster was “originally the spring festival in honor of the Teutonic goddess of light and spring known in Anglo-Saxon as Eastre.” (The Westminster Dictionary of the Bible) “There is no indication of the observance of the Easter festival in the New Testament.”
379613
Easter goes back much farther than the Saxons or Celts.  In fact, the name Esther (Hester) is Aramaic for the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, the goddess of love, fertility and military prowess, who remained popular with every successive world power since the overthrow of Babylon by the Medes and Persians.  Her festivals were celebrated during the spring, just as one would expect, since that is when people are interested in planting for a successful harvest.\n\nThe Greeks and Romans had their own fertility goddesses, but Ishtar was not forgotten by them.  Aphrodite (Greek) had her starts in an old-Asian goddess with direct connections to Ishtar and the Syro-Palestinian goddess Ashtart.  Venus (Roman) originally began as a goddess of vegetation and crop fertility, but under Greek influence, she assumed many of the qualities of Aphrodite.\n\nWe ought not forget the one aspect of Ishtar that is often overlooked, and that was her position as guardian of Babylon's power in war.  This was the position of the Roman goddess Vesta.  Initially Vesta was a goddess of domestic affairs, much like the goddess Hestia of the Greeks.  Hestia and Vesta were both virgins, refusing to be wooed by anyone, and like Ishtar, the well-being of their respective nations (with the Greeks the metropolis and with the Romans the state,) was directly associated with their happiness. The names of both Hestia and Vesta have direct connections to Ishtar (Hester).\n\nAs you can see, the origin of Easter is by and far not Christian.  It was adopted as Christian by the Roman Emperor Constantine III who wished to unite his crumbling empire religiously; and since Christianity was the religion of choice, he had to find a way to include pagan celebrations.  After all, he was himself a sun-worshipping pagan.  So, in a nutshell, Easter's origins go all the way back to Babylon's goddess of sex and violence, Ishtar (Hester).\n\nYours Purringly, \nW.C. Humphries II (Mr. Fleez for short.)
553525
The Easter Bunny (sometimes known controversially as the Spring Bunny in some parts of the United States) is an imaginary or mythical rabbit which leaves gifts for children at Easter (or at springtime). It originates in Western European cultures, where it is a hare rather than a rabbit.\n\nEggs, like rabbits and hares, are fertility symbols of extreme antiquity; since birds lay eggs and rabbits and hares give birth (to large litters) in the early spring, these became symbols of the rising fertility of the earth at the Vernal Equinox.\n\nThe saying "mad as a March Hare" refers to the wild caperings of hares as the males fight over the females in the early spring, then attempt to mate with them. Since the females often rebuff the males' advances before finally succumbing, the mating behavior often looks like a crazy dance; these fights led early observers to believe that the advent of spring made the hares "mad". Rabbits and hares are both lagomorphs; they are prolific breeders. The females can conceive a second litter of offspring while still pregnant with the first (the two are born separately); this phenomenon is known as superfetation. Lagomorphs mature sexually at an early age and can give birth to several litters a year (hence the saying, "to breed like bunnies"). It is therefore not surprising that rabbits and hares should become fertility symbols, or that their springtime mating antics should enter into Easter folklore; however, the notion of a rabbit that lays eggs seems to have emerged from a confusion of two formerly separate sybolisms.\n\nThe precise origin of the custom of coloring eggs is not known, although it too is ancient; Greeks to this day typically dye their Easter eggs red, the color of blood, in recognition of the renewal of life in springtime (and, later, the blood of the sacrificed Christ). Some also use the color green, in honor of the new foliage emerging after the long "dead" time of winter. Other colors, including the pastels (possibly symbolizing the rainbow, another seasonal sign of luck and hope), seem to have come along later. The act of eating colored eggs at the Spring Equinox can be considered a form of sympathetic magic or prayer for increased fertility, and for a bountiful harvest later in the year.\n\nGerman Protestants wanted to retain the Catholic custom of eating colored eggs for Easter, but did not want to introduce their children to the Catholic rite of fasting. Eggs were forbidden to Catholics during the fast of Lent, which was the reason for the abundance of eggs at Easter time.\n\nThe idea of an egg-laying rabbit came to the United States in the 18th century. German immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area told their children about the "Osterhase". "Hase" means "hare", not rabbit, and in Northwest European folklore the "Easter Bunny" indeed is a hare, not a rabbit.\n\nOnly good children received gifts of colored eggs in the nests that they made in their caps and bonnets before Easter. Presumably, the "Oschter Haws" laid them when the children were not looking.\n\nA hundred years later Jakob Grimm wrote of long-standing similar myths in Germany itself. Noting many related landmarks and customs, Grimm suggested that these derived from legends of Ostara.\n\nAccording to American tradition, the Easter Bunny leaves baskets of treats (including Easter eggs and assorted chocolates and candy) on Easter morning for good children. Sometimes children leave out carrots for the Easter Bunny, which is similar to the practice of leaving milk and cookies for Santa Claus.\n\nIn the United States, revelers hide decorated hard-boiled eggs and children hunt for them. People also hide plastic eggs filled with candy or money.\n\nIn some places in the United States, some refer to the Easter Bunny as the "Spring Bunny" due to perceived religious overtones. The change has been met with significant critic
314658
I'll tell you what i was taught\n\nan egg represents birth and is tied into jesus ressurection\n\na rabbit symbolizes fertility and thus more life\n\nnow i read that easter was actually a pagan holiday to begin with (much like christmas) and christians changed it around to be apart of the bible.\n\nso I'm sure the rabbit and the eggs may stem from that, but that's what i was taught and what i teach
585602
Ok here it is so bear with me.  Candlemas or "Imbolc", (which means in the belly, because this is the time of the year when the flocks begin to give birth.)  Another name is Oilmec "ewe's milk."  Candlemass, The Feast of Waxing Light, The Feast of Flames, Laal Breeshey, Brigid, Brigantia, and La Feill Bhride.  We see the the change of the year here from the darker days of Winter to the lengthening days of Spring. It is the first harbinger of spring, the assusance that the Wheel is turning and the long warm days of summer will return.   \n  It is particulary sacred to women and to Brigid, the Goddess of healing, inspiration, ans smithcraft.  It is on Feb 2. every year.  Most Christian religions do not celebrate it, it is a pagan holiday.  Any Christian religions that do celebrate it (Feast of Saint Lucia, in Italy, and some nordic countries) have adapted it for the purpose to convert the pagans in the ancient times. So the answer would be Yes it is a real holiday, but only to those who are of the Pagan paths.
846412
The easter Bunny and the Easter eggs are both symbols used in the Pagen religion, that time of year is their fertility celebration and the Bunny and the Egg both symolize fertility. Estres (not sure on that spelling) is the godess of fertility, Easter is derived from that name.\n\nHalloween is also Pagen \n\nThe Christmas tree is also Pagen
1018365
I can only tell you about my experiences with Brigid. I view her as a Goddess and believe her to be the Goddess of inspiration, creativity, healing, poetry, and blacksmiths. I pay homage to her each year in February with a celebration of light.
325337
Grace unto you, and peace,\nfrom God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.\n\nSeven last utterances:\nhttp://www.godshew.org/Easter.htm#Utterances\nhttp://www.godshew.org/Easter1.htm\n\nSuch seven are a Menorah Seven:\nhttp://www.godshew.org/Sevens3.htm\n\nMenorah sevens have two things in midst,\nsuch as "My God, my God" as saying two Gods,\nfrom plural Psalms makes one feel "forsaken".\n\nWhich things are an "allegory".\n\nThe "grace" of our Lord Jesus Christ with you all. Amen.
949490
How about Themis as Goddess of Order?\nOr maybe ya should just look into Saints. \nSt. Expiditius is cool.
957546
First, it is only called Easter in Germanic language countries, in the rest of the world, it is called pascha which means passover from pesach.  Oestara had a celebration during the equinox and Pascha tends to fall near the equinox.  Gradually Christianity destroyed the religion of Oestara but the name remains as a vestige.\n\nSecond, eggs have nothing to do with Christianity, however eggs are a sign of life.  The original Easter eggs were called pysanki and had Christian images on them.  All animal products were banned during the Christian fast to replicate the pre-Noah period.  Easter was the first day Christians could eat eggs so they dedicated them to Christ through art.  The practice of decorating eggs preceeds Christianity but Christianity coopted it.  In fact, Easter basked with eggs, cheese and meat are blessed every Easter morning following the Resurrection services for the first meal of the day.\n\nRabbits reproduce at extraordinary rates, they are a symbol of life and innocence.  It also is the case that a handful of societies worshipped animals and Easter falling near the solstice happens to overlap many other observances.  Christianity co-opted other people symbols to destroy their religion.  They took the bunny over in the process.
155907
The name Easter, used in many lands, is not found in the Bible. The book Medieval Holidays and Festivals tells us that “the holiday is named after the pagan Goddess of the Dawn and of Spring, Eostre.” And who was this goddess? “Eostre it was who, according to the legend, opened the portals of Valhalla to receive Baldur, called the White God, because of his purity and also the Sun God, because his brow supplied light to mankind,” answers The American Book of Days. It adds: “There is no doubt that the Church in its early days adopted the old pagan customs and gave a Christian meaning to them. As the festival of Eostre was in celebration of the renewal of life in the spring it was easy to make it a celebration of the resurrection from the dead of Jesus, whose gospel they preached.”\n\nThis adoption explains how in certain lands the Easter customs, such as Easter eggs, the Easter rabbit, and hot cross buns, came about. Concerning the custom of making hot cross buns, “with their shiny brown tops marked by a . . . cross,” the book Easter and Its Customs states: “The cross was a pagan symbol long before it acquired everlasting significance from the events of the first Good Friday, and bread and cakes were sometimes marked with it in pre-Christian times.”\n\nNowhere in Scripture do we find mention of these things, nor is there any evidence that the early disciples of Jesus gave them any credence. As the book Curiosities of Popular Customs says: “It was the invariable policy of the early Church to give a Christian significance to such of the extant pagan ceremonies as could not be rooted out. In the case of Easter the conversion was peculiarly easy.
82602
Easter is based in part on the Hebrew calendar, which uses the lunar cycle, rather than the solar cycle used in the West.  Therefore, the date of Easter will fluctuate throughout the solar year, similar to the way the Chinese new year does, which is also based on a lunar calendar.
718291
:) Isn't it great to see how much Christianity is Pagan?\n\nDon't forget the Holy Water (Water), Candles (Fire), Incense (Air), and Eucharist (Earth) used at Catholic Masses. Oh, lookie there, all the Alchemical Elements that have always been used by Pagans!\n\nAlso, the entire Rainbow means God's keeping a promise... Hera had a Winged Goddess go across the sky with a bowl and dump out the contents -- a rainbow -- whenever the Gods kept a promise with the people.\n\nDon't forget Osiris, who came back from the dead.\n\nHell was named after Hel, the Norse Goddess of the Underworld.\n\nSatan was created based on how Pan was supposed to look.\n\nJesus was "born" on December 25th... around the time of Yule/Saturnalia, thus making it easier for Pagans to convert. However, based on Astrology, they said Jesus would be an Aries, meaning he was born sometime in April... around the middle.\n\n"Easter". Funny, spelt just like Ester, the Goddess whom is celebrated on Ostara, about March 23rd. Which is about when EASTER is celebrated.\n\n:3 Heehee. Silly Christians. Your stories are for Pagans!\n\nNote: Paganism first came about in 10000 BCE, and Zoroastrianism (first monotheistic religion) came about in 5000 BCE.\n\nTo davlynark: Your Jehovah wasn't even around at that time. Pick up a history book. You learn about the people from the Ice Age. They were Pagan. You keep learning about Pagans, too, for such a long time. Think for a change, won't you?\n\n- 16 yo Pagan
333618
Easter is not a Christian Holiday neither is chocolate candy good for children to eat.Christmas is not a Christian holiday either December 25 is the day Tammuz was born, the son of Nimrod (who I believe to be satan) and Semiramis (the sun god.) Tammuz was killed buy a wildbore or pig. Thats where they get the easter ham. Every first Sunday after the first full moon of spring the sun worshiper would celebrate giving rabbits and eggs as a symbol of Life. Paganism has taken over most christian churches that's why most church worship on Sunday (The Devils Day) Gods Holy day is The Sabbath the 7th day Saturday. This is why The bible warn as against false teachings. Follow Gods commandment out of Love not in the tradition the rest of the so call christians are doing.
223081
For Christians (especially Catholics), I guess you could say Mary, the Mother of Jesus.  From a purely secular (yet still hopelessly Western point of view) I guess you could say either Queen Elizabeth or Queen Victoria, both of England.  Queen Elizabeth built the English Empire, harrassed the Spanish to no end, built up the Americas, helped to make England solidly Protestant and executed Mary, Queen of Scots.\nQueen Victoria made a move for popular sexual repression and almost a fear of sexuality, distinctly Protestant in its origins.  This type of sexual repression led to men like Freud, who in turn altered modern society, and perhaps has led us to be an over-sexed society, that might have even made Freud cringe.
211622
because they do - directly and indirectly.\nEaster Eggs:\nAccording to the ancient tradition of the Eastern Orthodox Church , Mary Magdalene was a wealthy woman from whom Christ expelled seven "demons." On Easter morning she was the first to bear witness to his resurrection. She is called "Equal to the Apostles." The Eastern tradition tells us that after the Ascension she journeyed to Rome where she was admitted to the court of Tiberius Caesar because of her high social standing. After describing how poorly Pilate had administered justice at Jesus' trial, she told Caesar that Jesus had risen from the dead. To help explain his resurrection she picked up an egg from the dinner table. Caesar responded that a human being could no more rise from the dead than the egg in her hand turn red. The egg turned red immediately, which is why red eggs have been exchanged at Easter for centuries in the Byzantine East. \nEaster Bunny:\nThe day we celebrate as Easter was formerly a pagan holiday. The church decided to set the date for the resurrection of Jesus at the spring solstice, and then named it for a Celtic pagan feast day they wished to eradicate. It was named for Eostre, the goddess of the spring, and fertility. She was depicted with a white rabbit (the Easter Bunny).