For billions of people around the world, today is Easter Sunday – the most holiest of holy days in the Christian calendar.

Resurrection Day.

For any who may be interested, below is a listing of Easter customs and traditions, and a brief explanation of the symbolic rituals practiced by many in the Christian faith:

Eggs, baby chicks:  New life, new beginnings, rebirth

Rabbits:  New life, prosperity

Ham:  Celebration of the removal of the strict dietary practices of the orthodox or extremist Israelites forbidding the eating of any "dirty" or "unholy" animal with cloven hoof – including pigs

New bright spring clothes – New life, new beginnings, rebirth

White lillies – Purity

Lamb:  Jesus as the sacrificial "lamb of God."

Cross – The cruxifiction

Candles – Light

Butterflies - Life cycle of Jesus (Caterpillar – life on earth; Cocoon – death on cross and burial; Butterfly – Rebirth

Easter to most believing Christians is much more significant than Christmas, representing its most fundamental belief in heavenly rebirth after physical death.

Jesus also taught by preaching his Sermon on the Mount before this glorious day, that God is spirit and is everywhere – and not merely in Israel…

Happy Easter to all those who believe!