The British Library Homepage
homeHome  >   Online Gallery  >   e-cards  >   Easter e-cards

Free e-cards from the British Library

Images for Easter

Both Christians and followers of many other religions have celebrated ‘death and resurrection’, following the spring equinox (on or around 21 March) for thousands of years.

For Christians, Easter is the most important festival of the year. The dates (because of the ‘Last Supper’) are linked to the Jewish Passover. While western Christians celebrate on the Sunday after the next full moon, the Orthodox churches follow the older Julian calendar, so their Easter takes place several weeks later.

The word ‘Easter’ is derived from Estere, a Teutonic fertility goddess. It can be traced further back to the Mesopotamian goddess Astarte - who may have given us the symbol of the ‘Easter egg’.

Simply choose the image you wish to send by clicking on it.

 

The Lindisfarne Gospels, English, c.720 (BL Cotton Nero D.IV)
St Luke's Gospel

 

The Lindisfarne Gospels, English, c.720 (BL Cotton Nero D.IV)
St Mark's Gospel

 

The Four Gospels, Armenian (Constantinople), 1695 (BL Or. 14161)
Last Supper

  The Sforza Hours, Italian (Milan), c.1490 (BL Add. MS 34294) Arrest of Christ   The Four Gospels, Armenian (Erevan), 1669 (BL Or. 14839)
Crucifixion
  The Miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Ethiopian, 1632-67 (BL Or. 641) Entombment

  The Isabella Breviary, Netherlandish (?Bruges), c.1490-97 (BL Add. MS 18851)
Resurrection
 

Resurrection, 'noli me tangere', German,late 13th century, Add. 16950, f.106v)
Resurrection

  The Westminster Psalter, English, c.1200 (BL Royal 2.A XXII)
Christ in Glory
Accessibility  Terms of use   Site map
Copyright © The British Library Board