OCR Text |
Show EASTER LORE AND LEGEND If you happen to be coloring color-ing eggs this Easter, you might be interested to know that the tradition was known in England as early as the Middle Ages. In Edward I's household house-hold account for 1290, there is an entry of eighteen pence spent on 450 eggs to be covered with gold leaf for the royal household! In Florence, Italy, a rite preserved from the Middle Ages annually commemorates the end of Lent and serves as an omen for the coming year. As thousands watch, four white oxen draw an ornamented cart filled with explosives which are ignited at the proper moment. When the fireworks explode, great rejoicing follows, as it is believed be-lieved that this foretells an excellent harvest. The custom of rising with the sun on Easter morn comes from an ancient peasant belief that those who witnessed sunup sun-up on a certain day in spring would be blessed with good fortune, good health and bountiful boun-tiful crops. According to researchers at Norcross, Inc., who unearthed un-earthed these interesting facts, Easter cards were first exchanged ex-changed in 19th century Germany, |