Spring is in the air! Happy Easter!

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Easter is here and Holy week has just started today.

Let’s see where the word Easter comes from and some interesting terminology related to this celebration.

Spring is in the air! Happy Easter!

The word Easter in most European languages comes from the Hebrew Pesach. For example in French is Pâques, in Spanish Pascua, Russian Paskha, Danish Påske or Greek Πάσχα.

However the English word Easter is different in origin. According to the most popular theory, the old English word “eastre” comes from Eostre, the name of a pagan goddess associated with the spring season. The goddess festivals were held in spring and they represented the rising of the sun and a new beginning in life.

Easter is the central event of the Christian faith that celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is preceded by the season of Lent that is a 40 day period of fasting. But Easter is also connected to baskets of chocolate eggs and Easter bunnies as they are symbols of fertility.

Have a closer view of some German/English terms related to Easter through this glossary link: http://german.about.com/library/blostervoc.htm

You can also practice your language skills by learning how to say “Happy Easter” in different languages here: http://www.omniglot.com/language/phrases/easter.htm

Enjoy the spring time and Happy Easter to all of you!


 

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