We are now approaching the end of the Easter/Lent period. Here are some interesting facts about the holiday which is celebrated worldwide, commemorating the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

1. Easter has no set annual date for celebration. The day changes each year according to the lunar calendar.

2. Easter Monday officially marks the closing of the period of Lent which began on Ash Wednesday.

3. Next to Halloween, Easter is the second most popular holiday for the consumption of candy.

4. The word Easter actually refers to an old pagan goddess called Eostre, which was the goddess of spring and fertility.

5. In many Caribbean countries, a popular Easter tradition is the flying of kites. This is done in representation of the ascent of Jesus Christ.

6. The consumption of animal products including eggs was forbidden during the period of Lent. This caused many eggs to be available for consumption by Easter Monday.

7. Guatemalans celebrate Easter by creating a long carpet made of sawdust and flowers, and subsequently march over this carpet on their way to church.

8. The act of exchanging eggs as gifts has its origin in Ancient Persia where the eggs were said to represent new life and fertility.

9. The snack pretzels were originally created as an Easter food in Germany as it was made to symbolize two hands in prayer.

10. Instead of the traditional Easter Bunny, in Switzerland their Easter figure is an Easter Wizard.