hot cross buns

Traditionaly hot cross buns are eaten on Good Friday; the cross representing the crucifixion and the shape of the bun representing the rock that was removed from the front of the tomb on Easter Sunday.

The buns however have a mixed history. Some say they were part of pagan spring festivals and later given the cross by monks wanting to give Christian meaning to the tradition, whilst others suggest the cross represented the moon and its four quarters and, when the Romans arrived in Britain, they introduced spiced buns which were marked with the sign of the cross.

It was believed by some that hot cross buns had miraculous powers. People would hang them from their kitchen ceilings to protect their homes from evil and they were used in powdered form to treat all types of illnesses. It was also said that hot cross buns baked on Good Friday would never go mouldy...!

Holiday traditions often have pagan, as well as Christian roots and many times the symbolism has been changed over time to adapt to those using it in their celebrations.