The egg itself has long been a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolizes new life emerging from the eggshell. In the Orthodox Christian tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. The custom of coloring eggs red for Easter has its roots in the biblical lore regarding red eggs and cheorek (sweet bread): "When Christ was crucified, his mother took some eggs and bread wrapped in the shawl. When the Mother saw her Son crucified and his arms bleeding, she knelt down and cried. The Mother’s tears and Son’s blood dropping on the shawl colored the eggs and bread. Then the Mother put the shawl on her head." (Source: