Each of the six items on the Seder plate have a specific meaning in regards to the story of Passover.

  1. Maror: These are the bitter herbs, meant to symbolize the harshness the Jews were treated with when they were slaves in Egypt. Red horseradish is often used for this.
  2. Charoset: This is a mixture of apples, wine, walnuts and cinnamon and is used to represent the bricks and mortar used by the Hebrews to build the pyramids.
  3. Karpas: A vegetable is used to represent hope and renewal. The karpas is dipped in salt water before eaten to represent the tears of the Jews when they were slaves.
  4. Zeroah: The shank bone on the plate symbolizes the Pascal Lamb whose blood was painted on the doors of the Israelites.
  5. Beitzah: The hardboiled egg represents the circle of life.
  6. Matzah

haggadah Section: Introduction