×
GreekEnglish

×
  • Politics
  • Diaspora
  • World
  • Lifestyle
  • Travel
  • Culture
  • Sports
  • Cooking
Saturday
17
Jan 2026
weather symbol
Athens 8°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

The historic cafes of Athens: 12 legendary hangouts lost to time

Actress Melpo Zarokosta dies at 93

Cycladic Identity Initiative launches fourth funding phase to preserve the Cultural and Natural Heritage of the Cyclades

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

War, diplomacy, or insurrection: What’s next in Iran

January 17, 2026

New tensions in the Middle East as Trump invites regional leaders to the Gaza Peace Council

January 17, 2026

Weather: A return to winter in the coming days – Cold and strong northerly winds – Kolydas’ post

January 17, 2026

A view of Nikolaos Stasinopoulos of Viohalco – The “enduring imprint” of Greece’s greatest industrialist

January 17, 2026

The horror of the “Tariff of the Dead”: how the Iranian regime prices the bodies of protesters

January 17, 2026

Mitsotakis on the Karystianou party: “There is a long distance between being the parent of a tragedy victim and being the leader of a political party”

January 17, 2026

Patras in carnival mode – This evening, the city’s official opening ceremony

January 17, 2026

Greenland as the first line ofdefense for the U.S. and NATO:

January 17, 2026
All News

> Lifestyle

A treat for readers: Dior, bags, and literature

The fashion house Dior starts 2026 with a dreamy new campaign

January 16, 2026

Sophie Turner’s first photo as Lara Croft released for Tomb Raider series

January 15, 2026

Vicky Chatzivasileiou: “I never gave up anything for television — It’s not my whole life”

January 15, 2026

Nikki Glaser reveals jokes cut from her Golden Globes hosting set

January 15, 2026

Next-level skylines: The towers transforming cities in 2026

January 13, 2026
Homepage
PERSONAL DATA PROTECTION POLICY COOKIES POLICY TERM OF USE
Powered by Cloudevo
Copyright © 2026 Πρώτο Θέμα