The practice of decorating eggshells dates back over 60,000 years when ostrich eggs with engraved designs were found in Africa. Many ancient cultures incorporated decorated eggs into burial traditions. The early Christians began the custom of dying eggs red to represent the blood of Christ and his resurrection. In Western Christianity, the Easter egg tradition may have developed from using up eggs before the fasting season of Lent. Eggs are blessed and distributed to Orthodox Christians as a symbol of Christ emerging from the tomb. Various European cultures incorporated the decorated eggs into their springtime celebrations and traditions with activities like egg tapping games.