Passover and Easter

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Passover & Easter Christianity and Judaism are the few examples of religions that are originated from Western Traditions. These religions take different approaches to representational art and iconography which is found in their religious festivals. The Christian celebration of Easter and the Jewish Passover differentiate in their approaches to these icons in the history, the celebration and the symbols used during the commemoration of these holidays. Passover and Easter have many hidden representational art and iconography that are reflected in the historical stories behind Judaism and Christianity. For Jewish people, the Exodus story narrated the Israelite’s liberation from slavery in Egypt which dates back to the 13th century BC. The story begins with a Shepard named Moses who hears God calling his name in the form of a burning bush. God tells Moses to return to Egypt and demand Pharaoh to let his people go. Many Jews believed that the burning bush represented the Israelite people in bondage, and the fire symbolized the forces of persecution that the Egyptians exercised on their Jewish ancestors (Holiday Celebrations). Just like the bush being burnt, but not consumed, the Israelites were being tormented but refused to perish from Egyptian’s oppression. Due to the Pharaoh’s unwillingness to free the Israelites, God delivered upon the Egyptians ten plagues; water turning into blood, frogs, lice, flies, livestock, boils, hail, locust, darkness, and death of the first born (Exod. 7-14) . In a sense, these plagues represented God’s almighty power over the Egyptian gods. Each plague was an attack on a particular Egyptian god. Moreover, not only was God’s purpose to reduce Pharaoh’s resistance and free the Israelites with the plagues, it also displayed God’s power conquering over the Egyptian gods; proving He is the one true God (Holiday Celebrations). Because of the plagues, Pharaoh finally surrendered and freed the Israelites from slavery. For Christians, the story of Jesus’ resurrection is celebrated on a holiday known as Easter. The narration begins with Jesus being arrested for exclaiming that He was the Son of God. He was taken to the Roman governor, Pilate, who delivered Him to be crucified. The soldiers took Jesus away and cast a crown of thorns on His head and a reed on His right hand (Matt. 27:28-30). To Christian... ... middle of paper ... ... 211). Both religious festivals, Passover and Easter, have different approaches to representational art and iconography that is found in Western religions such as Judaism and Christianity. These art and icons are vital resources in portraying each religion apart from one another. Without these important elements, the diversity of different religions that make up the spectrum of the religious world would cease to exist and all appreciation for individuality would be lost. Works Cited Curtis, Barbara. “Celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection.” The Plain Truth Online. 1999. . Farstad, Arthur. The New King James Bible. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1979. Holiday Celebrations. “Passover on the Net.” Studio Melizo. 2004. . Tobias, R. C. “Easter.” The New Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 4, 210-211. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 1768. Tobias, R. C. “Passover.” The New Encyclopedia Britannica, Vol. 9, 88-89. Chicago: Encyclopedia Britannica, 1768. Oxtoby, G. Willard. World Religions: Western Religions. Canada: Oxford University Press, 2002.

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