Symbolism of Easter

By Albany Herald News

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March 23, 2016

This year, Western Churches will be celebrating Easter on March 31 and Eastern Orthodox Churches on May 5.
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Over the years, symbols have become closely associated with Easter.

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While children have been writing and visiting Santa for gifts for more than a century, visiting with the Easter bunny, like this one stationed this year at the Albany mall, is a more recently developed tradition.

Bailey

Bailey, Lake Park Elementary School

For many, the blossom of the dogwood tree has Easter-related significance in that they see the stained petals as representative of blood and the center as representative of Jesus’ crown of thorns. This tree is located on Pine Avenue in Albany near Theatre Albany. (Photo: Jim Hendricks)

Palm leaves are used on Palm Sunday (the Sunday immediately before Easter) to symbolize Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. Many churches incorporate the leaves into a procession into church for the worship service on Palm Sunday.

Easter lilies, though not native to the Middle East, have come to be associated with the Christian holy day, much as the poinsettia has with Christmas.

The Easter basket is one of the items closely associated with the holiday, especially for children. (Staff Photos: Jim Hendricks)

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Albany Herald News