Symbol of the Holy Trinity, sacrifice, fertility, life, resurrection, and hope.
For Easter, people in several countries bake a special bread. The bread is known as tsoureki in Greece, and it is made with sweetened dough and red-dyed hard-boiled eggs. Because the bread is labor-intensive, baking is began a few days before Easter, and the rising of the dough signifies Christ rising from his grave. The dough is divided into three strands, one for each of the Holy Trinity members: the father, son, and Holy Spirit. To depict the crown of thorns that Christ wore when he was crucified, the strands are weaved together and the bread creates a wreath. The blood of Christ is symbolized by the red eggs. Bread was an important part of ancient Greece’s diet and was utilized in festivals and sacrifices. Baskets containing various varieties of bread would be presented to the altar. Bread was employed as a symbol of fertility and vitality in festivals and sacrifices. There is an Easter bread in Northern Italy that is shaped like a dove and represents hope.