Origins of Easter

The Ancient Roots of Easter: From Sumerian Myth to Modern Celebration

As families around the world gather for Easter egg hunts and sunrise services, few pause to consider the ancient origins of this springtime celebration. While modern Easter is widely recognized as a Christian holiday marking the resurrection of Jesus Christ, its roots stretch back thousands of years—to the myths and fertility rites of ancient Mesopotamia.

Easter’s Pagan Foundations

Long before the rise of Christianity, early civilizations celebrated the arrival of spring as a time of renewal, fertility, and the rebirth of nature. Among the earliest were the Sumerians and Babylonians of ancient Mesopotamia—often referred to as the cradle of civilization.

One of the most compelling parallels comes from the Sumerian myth of Inanna, the goddess of love, fertility, and war. Inanna descends into the underworld, dies, and is later resurrected—symbolizing the seasonal death and rebirth of nature. This myth bears a striking resemblance to later resurrection narratives, including that of Christ.

In the Babylonian tradition, Inanna was known as Ishtar, and her story continued to evolve. According to some interpretations, Ishtar’s resurrection and the rituals surrounding her return were celebrated in the spring, during a festival that honored fertility and new life.

Ishtar and Easter: Coincidence or Connection?

Some scholars and popular writers have drawn connections between the name “Easter” and the Babylonian goddess Ishtar, but this theory remains controversial. Linguistically, most experts agree that the English word “Easter” derives from Ēostre or Ostara, a Germanic goddess of dawn and fertility, whose festival was held during the spring equinox.

Still, the thematic overlap between these deities—Inanna, Ishtar, Ēostre—and the Christian Easter is difficult to ignore. All are associated with fertility, rebirth, and cycles of life and death. Eggs and rabbits, two of Easter’s most recognizable symbols, were ancient emblems of fertility long before Christianity adopted them.

Christian Transformation

By the 2nd century AD, early Christians began commemorating the resurrection of Jesus in the spring, aligning it with the Jewish Passover, which itself is tied to the lunar calendar. As Christianity spread across Europe, it absorbed and reinterpreted local pagan traditions, including spring fertility festivals.

The Council of Nicaea in 325 AD set the date of Easter as the first Sunday after the first full moon following the vernal equinox—ensuring that it remained tethered to the rhythms of spring.

A Legacy of Rebirth

Today, Easter is celebrated in myriad ways around the world—from solemn religious services to colorful parades and candy-filled baskets. Yet beneath these diverse customs lies a timeless human impulse: to celebrate life’s renewal after the darkness of winter.

Whether traced through the tomb of Jesus, the descent of Inanna, or the festivals of Ishtar and Ēostre, Easter endures as a powerful reminder of humanity’s deep-rooted connection to the cycles of nature—and our enduring hope for renewal.