×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Wednesday
10
Dec 2025
weather symbol
Athens 11°C
  • Home
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • World
  • Diaspora
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Mediterranean Cooking
  • Weather
Contact follow Protothema:
Powered by Cloudevo
> Culture

Why do Greeks dye eggs red on Maundy Thursday?

The red color symbolizes the blood of Jesus and the egg symbolizes the tomb of Jesus, which was broke in pieces like a shell and Jesus resurrected

Newsroom April 17 12:48

One of the most popular traditions of Easter is red eggs and the dyeing should be done on Maundy Thursday.

Although, many people choose nowadays to dye eggs with different colors and use various styles, the truth is that if we want to follow tradition, we must use red color as it symbolizes the blood of Jesus. The egg symbolizes the tomb in which Jesus was hiding and broke in pieces when Jesus resurrected.

>Related articles

Golden Globes 2026: Anticipation builds around nominations, surprises, and notable absences

Benaki Museum: Christmas all-day program for all ages

Restoration and enhancement works begin at the historic Church of Agios Nikolaos Rangavas in Plaka

However, there are different theories about the choice of red color. One of them says that when Jesus was arrested, his mother, Virgin Mary, offered a basket of eggs to the guards and her tears dyed the eggs red.

Regarding the clinking of eggs, it is said to have started in England as a game.

According to tradition, the first egg being dyed in each home is for Virgin Mary and should be kept in an icon corner (a small worship space prepared in homes) until next Easter. Then, this egg is planted in the fields on next year’s Maundy Thursday. This way it is said that the fields will become fertile.

Ask me anything

Explore related questions

> More Culture

Follow en.protothema.gr on Google News and be the first to know all the news

See all the latest News from Greece and the World, the moment they happen, at en.protothema.gr

> Latest Stories

Jennifer Lopez: Ex-husband launches new attack, accuses her of infidelity with Diddy

December 9, 2025

Copernicus: 2025 is on track to become the second-warmest year ever recorded

December 9, 2025

Zelensky says he is ready for elections

December 9, 2025

See which European country spent the most on OnlyFans in 2025 – and where Greece ranks

December 9, 2025

Tractors on the roads: truths and lies about the farmers’ roadblocks

December 9, 2025

Oncology patients’ appointments at PAGNI cancelled due to farmers’ occupation of the airport: The necessary radiopharmaceutical never reached Heraklion

December 9, 2025

Turkstream’s managing company will move its headquarters to Budapest to circumvent sanctions

December 9, 2025

Outstanding Dublin III cases for the potential return of thousands of migrants from Europe to Greece are being wiped clean – What the agreement provides

December 9, 2025
All News

> World

Zelensky says he is ready for elections

If certain conditions are met, the contest can take place within 60 days, the Ukrainian president said

December 9, 2025

See which European country spent the most on OnlyFans in 2025 – and where Greece ranks

December 9, 2025

Turkstream’s managing company will move its headquarters to Budapest to circumvent sanctions

December 9, 2025

I see no reason for the Americans to try to save democracy in Europe, says Merz

December 9, 2025

Google faces EU scrutiny over AI model development practices

December 9, 2025
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2025 Πρώτο Θέμα