The pagan history of hot cross buns can be traced back to pre-Christian England, where Saxons marked breads with a cross as a symbol of the four seasons and offered them to the goddess of spring. Later, Christian missionaries associated the cross with the crucifixion of Jesus, and the bun became a traditional Easter food.
            
            
            
            
            
            
           
          
          
            5 answers
            
            
  
    
    Dario
    Sat Nov 09 2024
   
  
    This festival was a time of great significance, as it symbolized the renewal of life and the promise of growth after the barren months.
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    CharmedClouds
    Sat Nov 09 2024
   
  
    Pagans held a deep reverence for Eostre, the deity associated with the dawn and the bloom of spring.
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    Martina
    Sat Nov 09 2024
   
  
    With the advent of spring, the pagans embarked on a month-long celebration, marking the pivotal transition from the icy grip of winter to the rejuvenating embrace of spring.
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    JejuSunrise
    Fri Nov 08 2024
   
  
    During the festivities, Saxons engaged in a special tradition of baking buns. These buns were adorned with a cross, a symbol that represented the four distinct phases of the moon.
  
  
 
            
            
  
    
    Giuseppe
    Fri Nov 08 2024
   
  
    The Saxons offered these moon-crossed buns to Eostre as a token of their gratitude and devotion. It was a ritual that underscored their connection to the celestial cycles and the natural world.