Halloween Discussion Forums, Costumes, Horror!

You're right, of course, about the symbolism of the Easter egg. I guess it was even more symbolic back when most people kept chickens, and most of the eggs they ate were fertilized (potentially new little chickens). Then there really was "life within the tomb" of the eggshell!

I am not well-versed in Easter lore, but I rather think the use of the egg as a springtime symbol of new life pre-dates Christianity, just as the Christmas tree goes back to Druid practices. I think it's another one of those things that got modified to fit Christian belief and consequently adopted into Christian tradition.