these date all the way back to english folklore. it was said that hot cross buns baked on good friday would never spoil through the following year.some bakers belived that holding on to one of there hot cross bun and hanging on the kitchen wall ment that the yeast porductsin the coming year would rise sucssefuly.some sailors took hot croos buns with them on there voyages to ensure there ships wouldnt sink.and they say freinds that gift one another with hot cross buns would stay freinds for life.....