The Tradition of Easter Eggs: From Symbolism to Celebration Easter is not only a time for religious reflection, but also a celebration of the season's most iconic symbol: the egg. Did you know Americans purchase 180 million eggs just for Easter? Eggs have long been associated with new life, which makes them the perfect symbol for this holiday. The practice of gifting eggs dates back to early Christianity, when eggs were saved during Lent—a time when fasting meant meat could not be consumed. But eggs, easily preserved without refrigeration, were kept and often given to children on Easter, sometimes painted red to symbolize the blood of Christ. Today, we still celebrate with hard-boiled and decorated eggs, but modern Easter traditions also include the ever-popular chocolate eggs. In fact, over 91 billion chocolate eggs are sold for Easter each year! Another beloved tradition is the Easter Egg Roll, a fun and historic event symbolizing the rolling away of the stone from Christ’s tomb. The White House has hosted an official Egg Roll since 1878, and today, it continues to bring joy to thousands, thanks to the efforts of our First Ladies.