The origins of Easter are complex and involve a combination of Christian traditions and pre-Christian pagan celebrations.
One significant influence on the Easter celebration is the pagan festival of Eostre, which was celebrated by the Anglo-Saxons in honor of the goddess Eostre, the goddess of spring and fertility. Eostre's festival was typically held around the vernal equinox, which falls around the same time as Easter. Some scholars believe that early Christians adopted certain elements of the Eostre festival into their own Easter observances, such as the symbolism of new life, fertility symbols like eggs and rabbits, and the timing of the celebration.
Another influence on Easter is the Jewish festival of Passover, which commemorates the Israelites' liberation from slavery in ancient Egypt. According to the New Testament, Jesus' crucifixion occurred during the time of Passover, and his resurrection coincided with the Jewish holiday. Early Christians may have merged the themes of Passover with their own beliefs about Jesus' death and resurrection, further shaping the Easter celebration.
Over time, Easter became firmly established as the central holiday of the Christian faith, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. While it incorporates elements from earlier pagan and Jewish traditions, the focus of Easter for Christians is the theological significance of Jesus' victory over death and the promise of salvation.
In summary, while Easter has pagan origins in some of its symbols and timing, its primary significance for Christians is rooted in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the foundational beliefs of the Christian faith.