Food is a major component of many religious celebrations. From the ancient Jewish Passover to Chinese New Year, and from the Buddha festival to Easter, food is part of the ritual.

In the Bible, the use of figs is one of the most prominent symbols. It symbolizes new life, and also represents the resurrection of Jesus. Other foods with religious symbolism include noodles, pomegranates, and dumplings.

Food has been used to convey religious ideas before writing was a common practice. Today, foods are considered a sacred offering. Religious codes bestow symbolic attributes on the foods we eat, and this makes them a part of some celebrations.

Many religions have unique cooking traditions. These traditions are usually carried out by a group. They often involve elaborate meals. If your class is planning a celebration, you can talk about what your students will eat, and why they choose these foods.

In Judaism, one of the first foods to be prepared is a bread called matzo. This bread is eaten during a special Seder. The Seder is a meal that commemorates the exodus from Egypt. For a range of Seder Plates, try visiting cazenovejudaica.com Another religious food is a fried potato pancake called latkes. Latkes have symbolic significance in the Jewish community.

Several other religious foods are associated with specific dates. Noodles are a popular choice for Chinese New Year’s Eve, as are dumplings, which symbolize longevity. Also in the Jewish faith, dairy foods are traditionally eaten on Shavuot.