Sarah Mitchell
Easter is a Christian feast commemorating the resurrection of Christ. However, some people claim that Easter has roots in pagan traditions and rituals. For instance, the Easter bunny is said to have originated from a pagan festival of Eostre, a Teutonic or Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. The name Easter is also thought by some to derive from Eostre, Ishtar, or Astarte. However, others argue that Easter is unequivocally a Christian celebration, and any connections to paganism are based on speculation and shoddy scholarship. They argue that Easter is about the resurrection of Christ, not pagan gods, and that any peculiarly pagan significance attached to Easter traditions has been forgotten.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Etymology of Easter | Some sources claim that the word "Easter" is derived from Eostre, a Teutonic or Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. However, others argue that it originates from the Latin phrase "in albis" or the Old High German "eostarum", meaning dawn. |
| Connection to Pagan Deities | Ishtar/Ishtar, the Sumerian goddess, is often linked to Easter due to her association with the theme of resurrection in the myth of Tammuz and Inanna (Ishtar). |
| Easter Traditions | Easter traditions like the Easter bunny and eggs are claimed to have pagan origins. For instance, bunnies are linked to the pagan festival of Eostre, and colored eggs were used in rituals associated with pagan gods. |
| Christian Perspective | Christians assert that Easter is unequivocally a Christian feast celebrating the resurrection of Christ. Any similarities with pagan traditions are coincidental or carry no significant meaning today. |
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What You'll Learn
Easter's etymology
The etymology of the word "Easter" has been a subject of debate, with some claiming it has pagan origins, while others assert it is purely Christian. The English term "Easter" is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon goddess name "Ēostre" or "Eostre", the goddess of spring and the rising light of day. However, the existence of this goddess is highly disputed, with no solid evidence of her worship found in ancient writings, shrines, or altars. The only mention of "Eostre" comes from a passing reference by the Venerable Bede, an 8th-century monk and historian, who suggested that the month of April was once called "Eosturmonath" in honour of the goddess.
Another theory suggests that "Eosturmonath" simply meant "the month of opening," similar to the Latin root of "April," which is associated with spring when buds open. The Latin phrase "in albis" ("in white"), used by early Christians to refer to Easter week, may have influenced the Old High German "eostarum" or "dawn." This theory highlights that the claim of English Easter being rooted in pagan goddess worship lacks historical evidence.
The word "Easter" is also linked to the Jewish Passover by its name, origin, and symbolism. In most European languages, both the Christian Easter and the Jewish Passover are called by the same name, derived from the Hebrew "pesach" and Aramaic "pascha." The Latin "Pascha" and its derivatives are used in Romance languages to signify Easter or the Easter mysteries. The Greek "Pascha" is also used in the original language of the gospels.
While the exact etymology of "Easter" remains uncertain, it is clear that the feast it describes is Christian, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The focus of Easter for Christians is on Christ as the Passover Lamb, whose death and resurrection are central to the Christian faith.
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The goddess Eostre
The origins of Easter and its connection to paganism have been a subject of debate among historians and folklorists. While Easter is a Christian celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, some have suggested that the word "Easter" may be derived from the name of a pagan goddess, Eostre or Ostara, who was worshipped during the Spring Equinox.
The evidence for Eostre as a goddess worshipped by the Anglo-Saxons is uncertain, and there are limited sources beyond Bede's writings. However, Eostre has become an important figure in modern paganism and Wicca, with rituals and celebrations honouring her during the Spring Equinox. Some Wiccans create altars for Eostre, collect morning dew as an offering, and wear ritual clothing to greet the dawn on the Spring Equinox.
The connection between Easter and Eostre is speculative, and there is no historical or linguistic basis for a direct link. The etymology of the word "Easter" may be unrelated to any pagan goddess, and the Christian celebration of Easter is unique and distinct from any pagan rituals. The dating of Easter was established by the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, and it is based on the Hebrew-Greek-Latin root "Pascha" or "Pesach", meaning Passover, which refers to the passion and death of Christ.
While the exact origins of the word "Easter" remain a mystery, it is clear that the Christian celebration of Easter is firmly rooted in Christian theology and has no direct connection to pagan goddess worship.
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Ishtar and the Sumerian myth
A search for "Ishtar and the Sumerian myth" reveals the following information:
Ishtar was a major deity in ancient Mesopotamia, particularly in Sumerian and Akkadian mythology. She was associated with love, fertility, sex, war, and power. Ishtar played a significant role in the religious and cultural life of ancient Sumerian society, and her worship spread throughout the Mesopotamian region.
One of the most well-known myths involving Ishtar is the Descent of Ishtar to the Underworld. In this story, Ishtar descends to the underworld to confront her sister, Ereshkigal, the queen of the underworld. Ishtar seeks to impose her will and assert her dominance over Ereshkigal, but as she passes through the seven gates of the underworld, she is stripped of her clothing, jewelry, and symbols of power. At each gate, a part of her garment or an item of jewelry is removed, symbolizing the loss of her power and status. By the time she reaches Ereshkigal's throne room, Ishtar is naked and helpless. Ereshkigal strikes Ishtar with a deadly gaze, and Ishtar is killed.
The death of Ishtar has significant consequences for the world above. With Ishtar's absence, love, fertility, and procreation cease to exist. The other gods panic, realizing the dire implications of her death. They negotiate with Ereshkigal, offering a substitute for Ishtar's life. A creature known as the "hand of god" is sent to the underworld to revive Ishtar and bring her back to the land of the living.
Ishtar's resurrection is a significant aspect of her myth. It symbolizes the cyclical nature of life, death, and rebirth, which was a prevalent theme in Mesopotamian mythology. This theme is also echoed in later religious traditions, including Christianity, with its beliefs surrounding Easter and the resurrection of Jesus.
The story of Ishtar also highlights the complex nature of ancient Mesopotamian religion. Ishtar's descent into the underworld and her subsequent resurrection reflect the ancient Sumerian understanding of the relationship between the living and the dead, as well as their beliefs about the power of deities and the cycle of life.
Additionally, Ishtar was often associated with the planet Venus, which may have contributed to her association with concepts of death and rebirth. The movements of Venus as the morning and evening star would have been notable to ancient sky watchers, and its disappearance and reappearance could have been interpreted as a symbol of death and rebirth, further reinforcing Ishtar's connection to these themes.
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Easter customs
Easter is a Christian feast celebrating the resurrection of Christ. However, some people claim that Easter customs have roots in pagan traditions. One such custom is the Easter Bunny, which first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. Their tradition included an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Over time, the custom spread across the U.S., and the rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other treats.
Another custom is the use of eggs, which were used in rituals associated with a pagan god. However, as with the Easter Bunny, any peculiarly pagan significance attached to Easter eggs has been forgotten over time.
The name "Easter" itself has also been a subject of debate. Some believe it is derived from "Eostre," the name of a Teutonic or Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. Others argue that it comes from the Old English word "Ēastre," which referred to springtime or the dawn. There is also a theory that it originates from the Latin phrase "in albis" ("in white"), which Christians used to refer to Easter week. Despite these theories, many scholars refute the pagan connection, arguing that the etymology of the word "Easter" does not reflect its theological roots.
While Easter customs may have evolved over time and incorporated various influences, the core focus of the Christian celebration remains on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
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The Council of Nicea
The Council of Nicaea (or Nicea) was the first ecumenical council of the Christian church, which took place in 325 CE in the ancient city of Nicaea (now İznik, Turkey). The council was convened by Emperor Constantine I, who was an unbaptized catechumen. He hoped that a general council of the church would resolve the controversy of Arianism, a doctrine proposed by Arius of Alexandria that affirmed that Christ was not divine but a created being. Constantine himself presided over the opening session and took part in the discussions.
The council was attended by at least 200 bishops, with most of them being eastern. The few western attendees included Hosius of Corduba, who may have presided over its deliberations, Caecilianus of Carthage, Nicasius of Die, Marcus of Calabria, Domnus of Pannonia, and Victor and Vicentius, two presbyters representing Bishop Sylvester of Rome. The council's main accomplishments were the settlement of the Christological issue of the divine nature of God the Son and his relationship to God the Father, the construction of the first part of the Nicene Creed, and the promulgation of early canon law.
The council also considered the calculation of Easter, adopting the Roman and Alexandrian method over the objection of several eastern bishops. The council required the feast of the resurrection to be celebrated on a Sunday and never on the day of the Jewish Passover. It was decided that Easter would fall on the Sunday after the first full moon following the Spring equinox, which meant the date of Easter would always fall between March 22nd and April 25th. The ruling of the Council was not immediately accepted everywhere, especially by those who had been celebrating the resurrection on Passover. However, eventually, the ruling was accepted by all of the Western church.
In addition to the Arian question, the council also addressed other matters, including the proper method of consecrating bishops, a condemnation of clerics lending money at interest, and a refusal to allow bishops, priests, and deacons to move between churches. The council closed in the first weeks of July, with the bishops invited to attend Constantine's celebration of his twentieth anniversary on the throne on July 25th.
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Frequently asked questions
No, Easter is not a pagan holiday. It is a Christian celebration of the resurrection of Christ. While the etymology of the word "Easter" may be linked to the name of a pagan goddess, the feast it describes is Christian.
The word "Easter" may have originated in English around the 8th century AD. It is derived from the word "Eoster", the name of the Teutonic goddess of the rising light of day and spring, and the annual sacrifices associated with her. However, some scholars dispute this, arguing that there is no historical basis for this derivation.
Easter may have historically coincided with pagan celebrations. Customs such as the Easter bunny and Easter eggs may have originated in pagan rituals, but their original significance has been lost over time.
