We eat them, paint them, arrange them next to the Easter bunny, and give them as tokens of friendship. The Easter egg season is here.

An egg is dormant but contains a new life sealed within, and is therefore the perfect symbol for fertility and the beginning of spring. Easter egg stories abound in many cultures. It seems that eggs have always been trendy. For example, eggs as a symbol of new life are found in early Roman Spring feasts, in Jewish traditions, and in stories about ancient gods and goddesses. The ancient Persians painted eggs for their New Year, which falls in the spring. Mary Magdalene is said to have greeted the Emperor of Rome with “Christ is risen” and given him a red egg.

Despite Easter’s association with Christianity, most scholars believe that it was originally a pagan fertility rite that celebrated the rebirth of life. The Easter egg may also have celebrated the end of the privations of fasting, when traditionally all meat and dairy products were prohibited. Whoever started the egg business, it has certainly been a successful one, provoking admiration and interest that has lasted for centuries.

Eggs are also a central feature of spring culture in Finland. All those who want to know more should visit the Easter egg exhibition on the fortress island of Suomenlinna in Helsinki, featuring different egg decoration techniques, eggs painted by local artists, as well as delicious traditions that simply cannot be missed!

Pääsiäismunanäyttely (Easter egg exhibition) 1 – 11 April, Church of Suomenlinna, Helsinki. Opening times Wed-Thu 12-4pm.

Related Links > www.suomenlinna.fi