 The whole family would gather to eat the animal roasted on an open fire, along with bread that had not been leavened, and with bitter herbs. The unleavened bread symbolized the haste of their exodus from Egypt, fleeing from Pharaoh's armies. The bitter herbs represented the bitterness of the many years of slavery. They had to eat it hurriedly, with their feet shod and with staves in their hands, like people ready to depart on a journey.