Pagan roots
The Germanic goddess of Spring is believed to be the namesake of the holiday
Oestre (pronounced Ostara)
these colorful objects are hidden on the holiday
eggs
This Roman goddess of flowers and spring
Flora
In Orphic mythology the creator god, Phanes was hatched from this egg
Orphic Egg
This Greek youth was turned into a flower after dying from a discus accident with Apollo.
Hyacintheus
This animal is often associated with rebirth or spring
hare or rabbit
this mythical bird is associated with rebirth and resurrection & symbolizes the holiday too
a pheonix
This Greek goddess returns from the underworld every spring, bringing the season with her
Persephone
in Finnish folklore this world was born from a broken egg laid on the knee of this being
Ilmatar
Daphne begged to be turned into this tree to escape Apollo’s pursuit.
laurel tree
before turning into a rabbit by the goddess of spring, in the pagan mythology this was the what the animal was
a bird
eggs have been a symbol of new beginnings since ancient civilizations, in which they are associated with the goddess Isis.
Egypt
In Celtic mythology, this goddess of fertility and growth is associated with spring and sacred wells.
Brigid
In some Chinese creation myths, this figure emerged from a giant egg to form the world.
Pangu
In Norse mythology, this god is said to be able to be a skilled shapeshifter who turned into a salmon to evade capture
Loki
this is the name of the pagan holiday to celebrate the spring equinox
Ostara
in Slavic and Balkan folklore eggs were theorized to ward off these evil creatures of the night
vampires
This Slavic goddess of spring is said to melt winter with her warmth and bring life back to the land.
Vesna
According to some Hindu cosmologies, this golden egg contained the universe before it cracked open.
Hiranyagarbha
According to Inuit legend, this woman became the goddess of the sea after her fingers transformed into marine animals.
Sedna
Ostaramanoth
This Norse goddess is associated with spring and fertile harvests and is often celebrated in springtime celebrations
Freya
This Hindu goddess rides a lion or tiger and is celebrated during spring festivals like Holi.
Durga
The Zoroastrian myth of creation includes the cosmic egg being split by this god of light and order.
Ahura Mazda
This sea deity transformed into various animals — including fire and water — to avoid being captured by Menelaus.
Proteus