Monday, April 9, 2012

The Easter Bunny

There are many customs associated with Easter. In the UK, Easter Sunday used to be called Egg Sunday. In many cultures, the egg has symbolized rebirth. Many centuries ago, bird eggs were stolen to be used as talismans or to be eaten in rituals. The symbol of the Easter Bunny, highly popularized in the United States, has its origin in a pagan festival for the goddess Eastre, worshiped [1] by the Anglo-Saxons. According to myth, one day she wanted to fascinate some children by turning a bird into [2] a rabbit, which began to lay eggs that she gave to the children. Germans introduced this symbol to the U.S., where Easter was not celebrated until after the Civil War. This ancient tradition has evolved and now is kept alive in a more playful way. Chicken eggs are boiled [3] and painted with very bright colors and designs. And chocolate eggs are hidden outside the house for children to look for.



Of course, having chocolate is a popular Easter tradition. We’ve been told that chocolate is unhealthy for us. However, in moderation, chocolate can actually be good for you. Chocolate makes people feel good because it contains a chemical called theobromine, which stimulates endorphins. Releasing [4] these chemicals in the brain creates a feeling of well-being [5]. So make sure you eat a healthy amount of chocolate this Easter!


[1] venerado, [2] convertirse, [3] hervidos, [4] liberar, [5] bienestar

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