Origins and Superstitions of the Famous Easter Bread.
It’s the time of year when we are seeing hot cross buns in bakeries to mark the Easter and spring season. Learn the bun’s origins and many superstitions in this guide to the hot cross buns history.
What are Hot Cross Buns?
Hot cross buns are slightly spiced, sweet buns with bits of dried fruit and marked with a cross on top of the glazed bun. It is traditionally eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of the Lenten season in Commonwealth countries and parts of the Americas.
Hot Cross Buns History
Early Origins
The earliest origins of these famous buns date back to the pagans who placed a cross on their bread to signify the four phases of the moon and the four seasons of the year.
Crossed buns were also found in Ancient Egypt and Ancient Greece where the mark of the cross celebrated their gods, particularly the goddess of light, Eostre, where Easter got its name.
In fact, the word “bun” comes from the Greek word “boun” meaning ceremonial cake or bread.
Christian Origins
One of the most popular Christian origins dates back to 1361 in England when a monk at St. Alban’s Abbey baked a similar recipe to the Christian dairy-free bun typically consumed on Good Friday. He marked his with a cross, gave it to the poor, and hot cross buns soon became mainstream.
Two hundred years later, Queen Elizabeth I declared that hot cross buns could only be baked and served at burials, Christmas, and Good Friday. From then, they were commonly eaten warm from the oven after midday on Good Friday.
Traditions & Superstitions
In Christian traditions, the cross symbolizes the crucifixion of Christ, the spices represent the spices used to embalm Jesus at his burial, and the orange peel in the bun signifies the bitterness of his time on the cross.
Over time, the buns developed superstitions, such as having them on the ship would protect the boat and crew against shipwrecks. And, if you hung it in the kitchen, you would protect your home from fires – but you must replace the hanging buns each year. And finally, if you placed a cross on the bread, that would ensure successful baking by warding off evil spirits from ruining the bread from rising.
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