Anglo-Saxons worshipped and held ceremonies during April or Eostremonath in honour of the goddess Eostre.

Eostre is a spring/summer goddess, who's veneration during April, Eostremonath represented the re-birth of life and nature after the harsh weather of the winter months.

The egg, which may be a symbol of Eostre, is believed to represent that very re-birth. The Anglo-Saxon calendar gives evidence to support this.

The Heathen year was split into two seasons, summer and winter, spring and autumn were basically just aspects of the other two. Winter started in October and lasted for six months, the first month after the six 'winter months' was April or Eostremonath, which is the start of the coming six summer months. So as the first month of summer is the
month of Eostre, it seems reasonable to believe that she represents that re-birth of summer.

Another symbol that may have been sacred to Eostre is the hare, which eventually became the Easter bunny of today. In the cult of Eostre, the hare may have been a symbol of fertility. Eaten at Easter are Hot-Cross-Buns, which also have their origins in Heathen lore, originally these buns were pagan offerings. The cross upon the buns is said to either represent the four quarters of the moon or the horns of a bull, if the latter is right this may suggest that bull/oxen sacrifice was practiced in honour of Eostre, something, which we know was common amongst Anglo-Saxons.

The Christian church eventually took over the festival of Eostre, the incorporating of Heathen customs into early Christianity in England was carried out on the orders of Pope Gregory. As the festival of Eostre was about celebrating life and it's re-birth, the Christians found it easy and convenient to swap Eostre for their own symbol of re-birth, the resurrected Christ, whilst retaining the name Eostre or 'Easter'.

There you have it. the real meaning of Easter!

Happy Eostre