Traditionally, families across Greece dye eggs red on Holy Thursday. Dying eggs red in anticipation of Greek Easter is one of the oldest and most beloved traditions in Greece.
Along with candles, church services, lamb, and the sweet bread tsoureki, eggs that have been tinted with red dye are one of the most iconic symbols of Easter in Greece.
The symbolism of red eggs on Greek Easter
The red eggs hold significant religious symbolism, as the color red symbolizes the blood Christ shed on the cross.
Additionally, the egg in itself is a symbol — its hard shell represents the sealed tomb of Jesus — the cracking of which symbolizes His resurrection from the dead and exit from the tomb.
Due to its religious significance, the egg serves as an emblem of the resurrection, and its decorated Easter variations are globally recognized as a symbol of the most special day on the Christian calendar — Easter, the event that sealed the promise for eternal life.