The Easter season is upon us again, and depending on where you are and what the people around you believe, you may see lots of eggs, bunnies, or a whole forest of palm leaves to celebrate the season.
Easter is a global celebration primarily observed by Christians to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. While Easter is chiefly Christian, the celebrations that surround it are frequently fused with local rituals, rich cultural traditions, and folklore.
Easter is celebrated in many ways worldwide, each reflecting the distinct customs and traditions of the people who celebrate it. Join us as we delve into the colorful array of practices that make Easter a truly universal celebration.
1. Flying Kites in Bermuda
Flying kites is an excellent play activity, but it’s also a long-lived Easter tradition for the Bermudans. On Good Friday, the Bermudans fly homemade kites as a way to commemorate the resurrection of Christ.
What do Kites have to do with Easter? According to legend, a Sunday school teacher, unable to explain the ascension to Sunday school students, created a kite to depict the miraculous occurrence. To this day, the Bermudans continue to practice the tradition.
2. France’s Mega Omelette
What’s the biggest omelet you have ever made? If you find yourself in Haux, France, you’d be amazed by the colossal omelet crafted there each year, capable of feeding a thousand people.
This extraordinary feat is part of their annual Easter tradition, where locals come together to create a mammoth omelet using over 4,500 eggs generously donated by the community. Each egg is cracked at home, and everyone gathers at the public square to create this heavenly dish.
3. USA’s Whitehouse Egg Rolling
The presidents and first ladies of the USA have been rolling Easter eggs since 1878. President Rutherford B. Hayes started this long-standing tradition, which is a highlight of the Easter season in the White House.
The celebration is an adored springtime event in Washington, D.C., when people of all ages meet on the South Lawn to participate in the yearly celebrations.
4. Greece’s Red Eggs
The tradition of coloring eggs dates back to ancient pagan spring festivals, where eggs symbolized fertility and new life. While most countries color their eggs rainbow, Greek eggs are made of deep red.
Coloring eggs is a cherished Easter tradition. It signifies renewal and new beginnings. The red dye used for the Greek eggs symbolizes life and Jesus’ victory over death.
Greeks have also been known for lighting fireworks at midnight after their Saturday Vigil Masses.
5. Easter Fires
In West Germany, Easter fires are a long-standing habit rooted in pagan and Christian traditions. These fires are common in many areas and usually start on Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday’s Eve.
These days, communities unite to build bonfires, chat, and enjoy the cozy heat. The practice symbolizes the triumph of light over darkness and the resurrection of Christ.
6. The “Watering of the Girls” in Hungary
Hungarian Easter traditions involve the fun and cheesy practice of men playfully sprinkling water or perfume on women, often accompanied by reciting a short poem or verse. It’s almost romantic.
This playful tradition represents fertility, energy, and purification for the upcoming year. In return, women sometimes give the males sweets or painted eggs.
7. A Papal Blessing in The Vatican
It’s expected that the home of the Catholic Church would also have an Easter tradition of its own. Thousands of worshippers assemble in St. Peter’s Square every year to see the Pope bestow the Urbi et Orbi (“to the city and to the world”) blessing from St. Peter’s Basilica’s balcony.
The significance of the event is highlighted by Easter’s profound symbolism, honoring the resurrection of Jesus Christ and the assurance of redemption.
8. Silent Easter in Germany
The Easter holiday is a long weekend, and most people always plan for fun and merrymaking. If you’re in Germany, though, you may want to cancel your dancing plans. It’s illegal to dance on Good Friday in Germany.
Some stricter parts of Germany have banned any form of singing during the Easter period.
9. The Easter Witches of Sweden
It may seem strange to mention Easter and witches in the same sentence, but the Swedes don’t think it’s too weird.
One unusual Easter custom in Sweden is for kids to dress up as Easter witches and trade candies in the neighborhood. It’s like Halloween in the spring, where children trade well wishes and drawings for goodies.
10. Mile-Long Flower Carpets in Guatemala
The Guatemalans exhibit a show of love by crafting beautiful carpets from sawdust, flowers, and other natural materials. These elaborate carpets are made by hand all over the streets, especially during Holy Week, the week before Easter Sunday. Sometimes, they’re a mile long.
The carpets colorfully represent religious beliefs and cultural history. Because of their relevance and beauty, they’re an attraction for both locals and tourists.
11. Haitian Easter Pilgrimage
Every Easter, Haitians go on a barefoot pilgrimage to the town of Ville-Bonheur. The journey is a sign of devotion and is marked by prayers, hymns, and carrying crosses along the route.
The pilgrimage functions as both a religious ritual and a cultural festivity, nurturing solidarity and religious devotion among the people of Haiti. It offers individuals a chance to enhance their spiritual ties, find solace, and participate in shared worship experiences during this sacred season.
12. Slovak Playful Whipping
The original Easter involved some not-so-slight whipping of the Lord, but Slovakians have their version of the gentle whipping. In Slovakia and Czechia, Easter Monday brings the tradition of “šibačka,” where young men lightly tap women with decorated young willow branches to bring health and beauty for the year ahead.
This playful custom, rooted in pagan and Christian traditions, fosters community spirit and festive friendship.
13. Norway’s Easter Crime
A good crime thriller is always worth a binge, and thriller lovers would have a wonderful time in Norway during Easter. The Norwegians have a hundred-old tradition of reading and watching crime stories during Easter.
It’s a publicity heaven for publishers who take the chance to advertise their crime books. It’s also a great tradition to help make people readers.
14. Cracking Eggs in Jamaica
Eggs are a big part of Easter in many parts of the world. In Jamaica, the eggs are cracked at the crack of dawn on Good Friday. The egg is then stirred in a glass of water and set aside to be “cooked” by the rising sun.
The patterns the egg makes when cooked by the sun are believed to predict the future. Clearly, the ability to read sun-cooked egg patterns in a glass of water is an added advantage.
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I’m a Language and Literary Studies (Honors) graduate with 11 years of experience in magazine and blog writing and content creation. I’m passionate about storytelling for change and believe in the power of words to make a difference. My writing is thought-provoking, accessible, and engaging, focusing on the Psychology of human behavior, complex social issues, personal experiences, and the latest trends. I’m a wife and a Mom of three.
