The Egg, The Goddess, and Creation (edited)

As many observe the time of Easter in various regions around the world, I thought I’d share the legend (believed to have originated among Eastern Orthodox traditions) of the colored Easter egg, along with brief descriptions of the egg’s symbolism among ancient belief systems.

I enjoy the red egg legend because of its seeming simplicity; all while coded with deep symbolism. As the story goes, Mary Magdalene traveled to meet with Emperor Tiberius in order to decry Pilate’s cruelty toward Yeshua (Jesus) after his crucifixion. As she relayed the story of the crucifixion, and resulting resurrection, she offered an egg to symbolize the wonder of Yeshua breaking free from death. Tiberius scoffed at her story, countering that Yeshua was as likely to resurrect from death as that egg in her hand was likely to turn red.

The egg in Mary Magdalene’s hand promptly turned red.

This moment in the story holds both elegance and power. There is no flourish, no grand performance, no flowery rhetoric. There is just the re-telling of a fantastical tale, and an egg.

While the egg in this story is used to demonstrate Yeshua’s resurrection, the symbolism behind it is far older. It was understood to be a symbol for creation itself in numerous ancient traditions that existed long before Yeshua and Mary lived. The theme of this cosmic egg is also found in Finnish, Hindu, Greek creation stories, to name a few. Germanic goddesses (Ostara/Eostre) and Mesopotamian deities (Inanna/Ishtar) were also associated with eggs as symbols of fertility.

One of my personal favorites is the Egyptian tradition in which Isis is associated with the cosmic egg through her connection to the primordial goddess Neith, who predates her and is sometimes considered a spiritual ancestor or counterpart. Neith is one of the oldest Egyptian deities and is explicitly linked to the cosmic egg from which Ra hatched.

Later, when Isis brings Osiris back from death, she lovingly demonstrates to humanity that we never truly die. Together, they achieve Ma’at, or cosmic balance, and unity. The egg then becomes a symbol of the eternal cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. A cool fact: it was incorporated in tombs, such as the egg-filled nest in Tutankhamen’s resting place. And Isis herself is associated with eggs and the ongoing cycle of fertility, among her many gloriously magical abilities.

In fact, Tyet, the knot of Isis, was placed within the sarcophagus of rulers and nobility as both protection and as a reminder that the deceased would break free from the flimsy bonds of the sarcophagus in order to be reborn. Death, you see, was only an illusion. We are knit together both in mind and spirit while nestled within the safety of the dark womb. When the time comes, we emerge, fully formed, and our first gasp echoes the Breath of Creation and All That Is. When our bodies die, we re-enter the great womb where we prepare to be reborn in a beautiful cycle of life.

The knot was worn by Isis' priestesses and followers as a symbol of the egg, as well as a reminder of the immortality that we hold inside of us. Our souls continue in the great vastness, and love binds us together as One.

To return to Mary Magdalene, she is often depicted as having worn this knot on her robes as well. Many of her followers understand that she would’ve studied and trained in the ancient practices of the goddess as an initiate. She is also featured with a book and skull, reminding us that the soul is eternal and that we are all part of the great cycle of creation as we ultimately strive to achieve mastery and full enlightenment.

So please embrace whatever aspect of this season that calls to you. Go for a walk in nature, hunt for Easter eggs, join loved ones in ceremony, enjoy the traditions that bring you connection and peace during this time.

Bask in the burgeoning and flourishing signs of new life and be reminded that you are an eternal being, you are worthy, and you are love incarnate.