彩蛋复活节就要来了

The Easter bunny has arrived, chocolate Easter eggs are in the shops, the daffodils are out, and the weather is getting better!

　　Easter is a great time of year, but what are its origins?

　　Originally Easter was called Pascha after the Hebrew word for Passover, a Jewish 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 Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility and springtime.

　　The date of Easter is determined by the lunar calendar. In 2008, the Easter weekend starts with Good Friday on 21st March and ends on Easter Monday, 24 March.

　　There are many food traditions celebrated at this time of year.

　　Hot cross buns are a favourite for many in the United Kingdom, and are thought to have originated from the ancient Greeks and Egyptians 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.

　　In Scandinavia, Easter Pasha is eaten. This is a fluffy creamy pudding, which is very light and sweet, and in Finland a strange mixture of molasses and rye flour is served at this time of year. It dates back to the sixteenth century and is called Mämmi.

　　Of course Easter wouldn't be Easter without eggs! The tradition of colouring eggs in bright colours goes back to the Middle Ages. It is said that this represents the sunlight of spring. In Germany it is traditional to paint eggs green, while in Greek and Slavic cultures eggs are dyed red as a symbol of the blood of Christ.

　　For many, Easter symbolises new life, and images of new born chicks, and rabbits （or bunnies） are to be seen everywhere, on television, Easter cards, and on eggs.

　　GLOSSARY 词汇表

　　easter eggs 复活节彩蛋
　　Jewish 犹太人
　　goddess of fertility and springtime 象征带来新生命和春天的女神
　　hot cross buns 十字小面包（复活节的特色面包）
　　Scandinavia 斯堪的纳维亚
　　middle ages 中世纪
　　Greek and Slavic cultures 希腊和斯拉夫的文化
　　television 电视
　　Passover 逾越节 （犹太教节日）
　　Anglo-Saxon 盎格鲁撒克逊人
　　lunar calendar 农历
　　ancient Greeks and Egyptians 古希腊人和埃及人
　　molasses 糖浆
　　traditional 传统的
　　symbolises 象征
　　easter cards 复活节卡片