Meanings Behind Easter Symbols in Art
The Risen Christ, Lily and Rabbit all Represent Easter and Spring
At Easter, Christians celebrate what many theologians feel is the most important day of the religion. There are many important symbols used in fine art to represent Easter, but perhaps the most potent and appropriate image of the Christian holiday of Easter is the risen Jesus Christ.
The Risen Christ
The subject matter of the Risen Christ is endless in that on his first day back to earth, Jesus got a lot done. Christ appears to Mary Magdalene (Noli me Tangere painted by Italian artist Alonzo Cano c. 1640), and he appears to his mother, Mary (The Risen Christ painted by Dutch artist Rogier van der Weyden circa 1440.) The Risen Christ also appears to his disciple Thomas, and invites him to touch his wounds so that Thomas no longer doubts that Jesus has come back to life, as in this Christ and Saint Thomas painted by Italian artist Luca Signorelli, 1441-1523
In this painting of the Risen Christ (1886) by British artist Sir Edward Coley Burne-Jones, a very art nouveau scene of the tomb shows Mary Magdalene discovering a haloed Jesus with angels. Here's another alternative of the same theme of the Risen Christ by Russian artist Alexander Ivanov painted from 1834 to 1836.
Bunnies and Eggs
So where do the Easter symbols of bunny rabbits and eggs come from? The goddess Eostur was of Anglo-Saxon origin and her feast day was celebrated in April. Some theories connect the goddess Eostre or Eoaster to Germanic folk customs that include rabbits and eggs. Easter is an ancient celebration of spring time and new birth that comes at the Vernal Equinox. (Jewish Passover or Pesach is also celebrated around the same time.)
The rabbits are a symbol of fertility and new life as are the eggs. The Easter Bunny was made popular by German immigrants to America in the 1700s. Strangely enough, there is a bird called a lapwing which makes a nest similar to a rabbit. Eggs found in these nests were erroneously thought to have been laid by rabbits.
The Easter Lily
The Easter Lily makes a lot of appearances at this Christian holiday as well. In many paintings depicting the Annunciation of the Virgin Mary (that's when the Angel Gabriel comes to tell Mary that she's pregnant with the son of God), she is shown to be holding a lily, which is a symbol of her purity. At Easter the lily is a symbol of Christ's resurrection as well as a reminder that he came from his pure mother.
The Easter Lamb
The lamb has also come to symbolize Easter as a metaphor for Jesus who is sometimes referred to as the Lamb of God. The spring lamb is common sight on most farms so this also explains the origin of this sheep-y symbol. Ironically, Jesus is also referred to as the Good Shepherd who tends a flock of sheep, or a church congregation.
Great Source for Easter Fine Art Images: Textweek
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