marbled tea eggs
I’m celebrating spring and wishing all my online friends the very best for the wide variety of joyful celebrations that take place around the world, at this time of the year.
My friend and I made some marvelous marbled tea eggs and I encourage you to try your hand at this creative endeavor because the products are beautiful and the process is easy.
Four seasons – Four directions
Spring (East) – Spring is the season of immaturity – leaves yet to unfurl and buds yet to become blossoms. Spring symbolizes the awakening of life, a time for natural rebirth, new beginnings and warmer weather. The sun rises in the east and we first begin to become attuned to spring when the sun begins to rise earlier and the days begin to become noticeably longer.
Summer (South) – Summer is the season of growth and production. The intense southern sun that brings forth burgeoning abundant growth. We witness wildlife babies and birds gamboling, playing and learning how to fly.
Autumn (West) – Autumn is the season of fruiting and maturity. It’s the season when after our days work we appreciate the evening sun before it sets in the west.
Winter (North) – Winter is the season of hiberation and death. In winter the northern winds blow, the precipitation falls, the days are short and the nights are long. We huddle by the hearth, close to home, hibernating and looking anxiously towards the east for the first signs of spring.
Vernal Equinox
There are two days each year when the daytime and nighttime hours are approximately equal — each being 12 hours long. One occurs between March 19 and 21 and is called the Spring or Vernal Equinox. The other happens in September and is called The Autumn Equinox.
The word equinox is derived from the Latin words for “equal” and “night,” and a common description of the equinox is the day when there are equal hours of daylight and night. This isn’t quite correct. On the equinox, the center of the solar disk spends an equal amount of time above the horizon and below. But since the upper half of the sun above the horizon provides sunlight at dawn and dusk, daylight on the equinox is actually several minutes longer than the night. The dates when there are 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night, called the equiluxes, are a few days closer to winter than the equinoxes and fall on different days at different latitudes.
The equinox occurs each year on March 20, 21 or 22. Both Neopagans and Christians continue to celebrate religious rituals linked to the equinox. Wiccans and other Neopagans usually hold their celebrations on the day or eve of the equinox.
Religious Roots
The Spring or Vernal Equinox and the Autumn Equinox have strong ties to religious celebrations, both ancient and modern. The spring equinox is the first day of the year in both the Baha’i calendar and the Iranian calendar, under which the day is called Norouz. It is a holiday in many countries in the Middle East and Central Asia, and for followers of Zoroastrianism, Sufism and the Baha’i faith.
Two Traditions
Easter is derived from two ancient traditions: Pagan and Judeo-Christian. Easter celebration is definitely traceable all the way back to ancient Babylonian trinitarian paganism, Circa 1500 B.C. Pagans have celebrated death and rebirth themes following the Spring Equinox for millennia. Passover Pasch can be traced to a pre-Israelite pagan ritual practiced by wandering Semitic shepherds.
Easter derives its name from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring. Eoster was the goddess of fertility to the ancient Babylonians; also known as Ishtar and Astoreth (the false goddess Solomon bowed down to in the Old Testatment). A month corresponding to April had been named “Eostremonat,” or Eostre’s month, leading to “Easter” becoming applied to the Christian holiday that usually took place within it.
Passover Pasch an ancient pre-Israelite Pagan ritual practiced by wandering Semitic shepherds and The Feast of Unleavened Bread was originally a traditional Canaanite agricultural harvest which was later adopted by the Israelites. The Feast of Unleavened Bread marked the start of the barley harvest; barley was the first crop to ripen. Because they occurred at about the same time each year, the two celebrations became merged into a two day observance. The Passover became associated with the exodus of the Jews from Egypt. Thus it’s not surprising that religious historians believe that many elements of the Christian observance of Easter were derived from earlier Pagan and Judaic celebrations.
It seems probable that around the second century A.D., Christian missionaries seeking to convert the tribes of northern Europe noticed that the Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus roughly coincided with the Teutonic springtime celebrations, which emphasized the triumph of life over death. Christian Easter gradually absorbed the traditional symbols becoming a holy day of reflection, thoughtfulness and reverence on the occasion of the anniversary of the resurrection of Jesus.
Egg and Bunnies
Eggs have been viewed as symbols of new life and fertility through the ages. Eoster was the goddess of fertility to the ancient Babylonians and the egg and bunnies symbols of fertility surrounded her ceremonial practices in every spring equinox celebration since ancient Babylonian times. It is believed that for this reason many ancient cultures, also including the Ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans, used eggs during their spring festivals.
In Medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent. Eggs laid during that time were often boiled or otherwise preserved. Eggs were thus a mainstay of Easter meals, and a prized Easter gift for children and servants. Churchgoers would take a walk after Easter Mass, led by a crucifix or the Easter candle. Today these walks endure as Easter Parades. People show off their spring finery, including lovely bonnets decorated for spring.
The symbol of the Easter rabbit was brought to America by Germans. It was widely ignored by other Christians until shortly after the Civil War. In fact, Easter itself was not widely celebrated in America until after that time.
The Easter Rule
In Western Christianity, Easter is always celebrated on the Sunday immediately following the Paschal Full Moon that follows the nominal date of the Equinox — March 21st. The Eastern Orthodox churches follow a different calculation; their Easter celebration is often many weeks after the date selected by the Western churches.
Prior to A.D. 325, Easter was variously celebrated on different days of the week, including Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. In that year, the Council of Nicaea was convened by emperor Constantine. It issued the Easter Rule which states that Easter shall be celebrated on the first Sunday that occurs after the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox. However, the “full moon” in the rule is the ecclesiastical full moon, which is defined as the fourteenth day of a tabular lunation, where day 1 corresponds to the ecclesiastical New Moon. It does not always occur on the same date as the astronomical full moon. The ecclesiastical “vernal equinox” is always on March 21. Therefore, Easter must be celebrated on a Sunday between the dates of March 22 and April 25.
Lent
In Western Christianity, Ash Wednesday marks the first day, or the start of the season of Lent, which begins 40 days prior to Easter (Sundays are not included in the count). Lent is a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline.
Not all Christian churches observe Lent. It is mostly observed by the Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian and Anglican denominations, and also by Roman Catholics. Eastern Orthodox churches observe Lent or Great Lent, during the 6 weeks or 40 days preceding Palm Sunday with fasting continuing during the Holy Week of Easter. Lent for Eastern Orthodox churches begins on Monday.
Resurrection Day
On Palm Sunday Christians celebrate the triumphal entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, the week before his death and resurrection. For many Christian churches, this marks the beginning of Holy Week, which concludes on Easter Sunday. Easter Sunday or Resurrection Day is typically the most well-attended Sunday service of the year for Christian churches.
A fascinating article! Those marbled tea eggs are lovely. And now I have my Easter Bunny fun fact to share.
alantrus last blog post..No Place for Children
@alantru
The eggs were very easy to do and so much fun. Try it and I’m sure you will like the results.
I’m looking forward to giving it a try… But I must confess that I’ve never had any success with Easter eggs – ever. Put a crayon in my hand and hard boiled egg in the other and the results are always disastrously messy.
:)
alantrus last blog post..No Place for Children
I absolutely love this article, especially the marbled eggs. My favorite time of year is the shortest season here in Virginia, unfortunately..
Teresa Silverthorns last blog post..Little Boys with Flowers
@Teresa
Thanks for the positive feedback. Try doing some eggs — you’ll be glad you did.
Hello, Happy Spring.
Vernal Equinox is over without my knowledge.
I’m just curious about the exact date for “Autumn Equinox”.
Spring is my favorite season..
Happy Spring
Dosons last blog post..Happy Spring
@Dosox
The ballpark date for Autumn equinox is September 21st. The correct calculation for this year is September 22nd http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox
Thanks a lot.. TT I think I’ll have to check it out this time. :)
Dosons last blog post..Saturday Meme
TT, the lesson is very thorough; and the eggs?…Well, they are exquisitely beautiful. Nice job, as usual. Glad I stopped by. ~Nards~
Nardss last blog post..Song of the day: Ain’t It Funny…How Time Slips Away – Jimmy Ellege
@Nards
Happy Easter to you. It’s wonderful to hear from you. :-)
Thanks, TT. This was a great article (very informative—I didn’t know a lot of this) and I like the link for coloring eggs. That’s a great chart there for making your own natural colors. I’ll have to try this!
Hmmm, spring is the season of immaturity, huh? Geesh, sounds like that’s my season… :o)
earthtohollys last blog post..SkyWatch Friday No. 37
@earthtoholly
I have always enjoyed coloring eggs. I have particularly enjoyed using natural coloring agents to do this batch and I hope you’ll give them a try too. Have a great spring time and may all your new beginnings be blessed with success.
The marbled eggs are beautiful! Thanks for sharing. This is a good article.
Elizabeth Barrettes last blog post..What Is Slow Food?
@Elizabeth
Thanks for visiting, reading and commenting. Give the marbeled eggs a try because I’m sure you will enjoy both that process and the product. Best wishes for a wonderful spring.
Thanks!
@fasl;asla
You’re welcome.
What a wonderful and timely article. Spring has always been my favorite time of the year. I love planting, watching the plants grow and keeping an eye out for baby wildlife. Nature….it’s so cool.
I absolutely love the marbled eggs. I’ll have to give it a go.
Me-Me Kings last blog post..The Turquoise Moon Gallery – Charreada
@Me-Me
Every season holds special meaning and as we head into this spring I’m preparing to make some new beginnings myself. Like you, I’m a gardener and although it’s far too early here to plant outdoors, I do have flats of seeds under lights preparing for the time when it’s warm enough to do some transplanting. All around me the mating season for birds and other wildlife has arrived and the ornamental cherries are budded and just beginning to bloom.
Please do give the marbled eggs a go as I’m sure you will love the result. Also have a great spring and may your garden be blessed with abundance this summer.
Interesting article. I never knew that about Passover.
Bens last blog post..The History of the United States
@Ben
I had a great time researching so many sources for this post and I’m glad I uncovered a bit of history that you you weren’t aware of. May this season of rebirth be a happy time for you.
Actually the Vernal equinox has more of an astronomical basis (it has to do with the earth crossing an imaginary barrier in space…I’ll have to look up the details, again. The “equal night” concept’s a bit off. The closest we get to that is usually 2-3 days before the equinoxes.
But I digress. Have a wonderful Spring & I LOVE your beautiful eggs!
Lanas last blog post..Flooding Again
@Lana
As this season is full of birds I’m sure you will find many willing subjects for your photographs and painting all around you. I’ll be visiting your blog to witness your creativity in this season of rebirth so have a wonderful spring yourself.
Wow, you always amaze me. This is great info I can share with my kids. I am printing it now. Thanks!
Shanes last blog post..Earth Hour…was it only one hour?
PS-I can’t wait to do our eggs this way! Cool change. My girls will love it and think I am cool.
Shanes last blog post..Jake Gyllenhaal teams up with The Green Schools Initiaitive
Seriously, I have heard my Jewish friend accusing Easter as a pagan holidays. I have never looked into it until your thoroughly well written post here.
I thought only Eastern orthodox believers from Eastern Europe observe lent. It is funny that I can only think of choclate for Easter Holidays :)
roentarres last blog post..Cute Pugs by Pentax Da 21mm f3.2 limited
Thanks, for that rather complete history!
Funny, I was trying to come up with it from memory for my mother, so I’ll be happy to pass this on to her. My memory was truly being taxed! Hahaha!
Sunshine & Blessings,
Giovani
Giovanis last blog post.."The Glad Game"
In Medieval Europe, eggs were forbidden during Lent.” Why do you think that was?
Great post.
Quillcardss last blog post..Musee d’Orsay’s Clock Overlooking the River Seine
Thanks for the informative blog. I find it very significant that irrespective of religion, man has kept his worshipping rituals close to Nature. Yet, we are moving away from Nature with every generation.
Susan Sharmas last blog post..Dudhwa National Park
All my Easter eggs come out like that :(
Do you have a recipe for non marble Easter eggs?
Happy Easter to you!
Buddha of Hollywoods last blog post..Growing Love
Wonderful details about the four seasons, or are they the four stages in our lives? All the other details are equally enjoyable. Nice indeed.
Gopal G.s last blog post..The first known ATM virus
Very interesting facts. Though science and astronomy provide valid and scientific explanations for various things that happen, the age-old reglious faith and belief do offer some sort of mental peace by following them. This is an universal truth all over the world. Many great scientists too oberve various religious rituals.
Gopal G.s last blog post..The first known ATM virus
Great Article.. Well researched and thought out. I enjoyed reading it. I can’t wait to use the new way to color eggs with my grandchildren. It will be such fun!
Thank-you!
Timethief,
Thanks for a lovely and informative article. You managed to convey a lot of information about Easter with out using a heavy hand. Your marbled eggs look wonderful. I think I will give that a try.
I love the spring equinox . I do my own little jig when the grass starts to green and the willows weep. I check everyday to see if the snow drops are out and I go a little crazy when my first daffodil blooms.
Spring attests to all those things going on out of sight during the winter months where very little seems to change on the surface.
Dancing a jig,
Nick Grimshawe
Nick Grimshawes last blog post..Self Forgiveness: One of the Missing Pieces
Hi there Nick,
Thanks for your kind words about this post. I love spring too. What’s not to love when love is in the air and all the birds and wildlife are mating? I also feel like dancing but that’s not only due to the change in season. I’m almost done the contract work I have been slaving away at – whew! I can’t wait to put it to bed. :)
Assalamualaikum
Hello, Happy Spring.
But, Vernal Equinox is over without my knowledge……
nice information
thanks
Blogger Senayans last blog post..The Ten Commandments dari “Mbah” Google Tentang Blog Yang Baik
@Blogger Senayan
Assalamualaikum
It’s good to meet you and I’m glad to hear you liked this little history lesson. It’s so interesting to find out what the origins of these traditions are. Please come againg soon.
Love and Peace,
tt
Spring is my favorite time of year. Not so hot that you can’t stand it, everything finally waking up after the long winter, and absolutely beautiful!
Enjoyed this post. Tons of interesting tidbits that I hadn’t known/heard about. And I may have to try my hand at those eggs. They would make a beautiful centerpiece.
Jamies last blog post..Seeing Green?
@Jamie
You absolutely must try the eggs. Two years ago I did some with onion skins and teas that turned out to be beautifully and subtly shaded. This year I found the site I linked to a whooped with joy when I did. My friend and I each made a dozen but wished later that we had made more. The ornamental cherries here are beginning to bloom. They are so gorgeous that I scooped up couple of branches that I had to prune as they were broken and brought them into the house. Have a wonderful springtime. I’ll be going away for two days on Thursday to deliver my contract work and pick up my cheque and then I’ll be online again.
Love and Peace,
tt
The eggs are beautiful, happy Spring TT
XX
@Chrissy
Happy spring full of hugs and kisses and green growing things to you too.
Love & Peace,
tt
This was such an informative post, TT! I learned a great deal from it–and thank you!
I love each of the seasons. In fall, I enjoy the darkening days and the beautiful foliage, particularly in New England
The winter in Montana is pristine in its beauty–there is nothing quite as majestic as the Rocky Mountains topped with snow.
Spring is a time of rebirth and I always feel energy seeing the lovely buds on the trees and to see my perennials come up to greet me each year.
Summer is wonderful with nights so warm you needn’t wear a jacket. My birthday is on the summer solstice so that time of year is alwasy special to me.
A lovely post from a lovely woman. Thank you for sharing it with us. I’m thinking of you and sending you my best energy for peace, healing, and tranquility.
Melinda
Melindas last blog post..The Little Girl in the Picture
@Melinda
I value your friendship and points of view so very much. Thanks for being my friend and all my best wishes for a wonderful spring.
Love & peace,
tt
You are incredible! I loved this and didn’t know half of what is written here. LOL! I love that you do eggs. I’ve done them in the past in a variety of ways, but not for awhile now and never like these. They are gorgeous. I swear you are an endless fountain of endless inspriation and intriguing infornation. But then that’s a sign of a really ALIVE person. :) :) This poast was just such an unexpected joy…a lot like Spring. Thank you dear TT, Hugs and love, Robin
Robin Eastons last blog post..We did it! We did it!