Worksheet on the history of Easter, detailing its religious and cultural roots with an accompanying classical illustration.

Let’s go through each question one by one, using the text to find the answers.

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Question 1: In what way is the Christian Easter similar to the Pagan’s festival?

Look at the text:
> “The Pagan festivals always coincided with the vernal Equinox on the 21st of March every year... The festivals were feasts that celebrated the booming of new flowers, the chirping of birds, butterflies, and sunshine and in general the feeling of rejuvenation that is inherent of spring.”

Also:
> “Eggs have been involved in the celebration of Spring for thousands of years... Eggs stood for new life; it is still appropriate to use them at Easter in celebration of God’s promise of everlasting life.”

So both celebrate spring, new life, and rebirth — Christians see it as Jesus rising (everlasting life), Pagans saw it as nature coming back to life after winter.

✔ Answer: Both celebrate spring and new life — Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection (everlasting life), while Pagans celebrated nature’s rebirth after winter.

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Question 2: Where does the name Ester come from?

Text says:
> “The name Easter was originally derived from the word Eostre. Eostre was the ancient Greek goddess of spring.”

Wait — actually, let’s check again. The text says “ancient Greek goddess” but historically, Eostre is Germanic/Teutonic. But we must go by what the text says.

It says:
> “Although Easter is nowadays one of the most important religious celebration, it owes its origin to the old Teutonic mythology. The name Easter was originally derived from the word Eostre. Eostre was the ancient Greek goddess of spring.”

Hmm — there’s a mistake in the text (Eostre is not Greek, she’s Germanic), but since this is a reading comprehension task, we answer based on what’s written.

✔ Answer: The name Easter comes from the word “Eostre,” who the text says was the ancient Greek goddess of spring.

*(Note: In real history, Eostre is a Germanic goddess, not Greek — but for this assignment, follow the text.)*

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Question 3: What did the spring festival celebrate?

From the text:
> “The festivals were feasts that celebrated the booming of new flowers, the chirping of birds, butterflies, and sunshine and in general the feeling of rejuvenation that is inherent of spring.”

✔ Answer: It celebrated new flowers, birds singing, butterflies, sunshine, and the feeling of renewal or rejuvenation that comes with spring.

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Question 4: Why did the ancient Persians and Egyptians use eggs during their celebrations?

Text says:
> “Coloured eggs were used in Spring celebrations of the ancient Persians, Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. They made the eggs look as bright and colourful as the earth looks in the spring. Eggs stood for new life…”

✔ Answer: They used colored eggs because they looked bright and colorful like the earth in spring, and eggs symbolized new life.

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Final Answer:

1. Both Christian Easter and Pagan festivals celebrate spring and new life — Christians focus on Jesus’ resurrection (everlasting life), while Pagans celebrated nature’s rebirth after winter.

2. The name Easter comes from the word “Eostre,” who the text describes as the ancient Greek goddess of spring.

3. The spring festival celebrated new flowers, birds chirping, butterflies, sunshine, and the feeling of rejuvenation that comes with spring.

4. Ancient Persians and Egyptians used eggs because they made them colorful to match the bright spring earth, and eggs represented new life.