<P> Easter eggs , also called Paschal eggs , are decorated eggs that are usually used as gifts on the occasion of Easter . As such , Easter eggs are common during the season of Eastertide ( Easter season ) . The oldest tradition is to use dyed and painted chicken eggs , but a modern custom is to substitute chocolate eggs wrapped in colourful foil , hand - carved wooden eggs , or plastic eggs filled with confectionery such as chocolate . However , real eggs continue to be used in Eastern European tradition . Although eggs , in general , were a traditional symbol of fertility and rebirth , in Christianity , for the celebration of Eastertide , Easter eggs symbolize the empty tomb of Jesus , from which Jesus resurrected . In addition , one ancient tradition was the staining of Easter eggs with the colour red `` in memory of the blood of Christ , shed as at that time of his crucifixion . '' This custom of the Easter egg can be traced to early Christians of Mesopotamia , and from there it spread into Russia and Siberia through the Orthodox Churches , and later into Europe through the Catholic and Protestant Churches . This Christian use of eggs may have been influenced by practices in `` pre-dynastic period in Egypt , as well as amid the early cultures of Mesopotamia and Crete '' . </P>
who started the tradition of coloring easter eggs
early Christians of Mesopotamia