Do you know all the Easter traditions worldwide?
Here they are:
Germany
Like in many other countries, Germany is familiar with the Easter Egg Hunt tradition and the Easter Bunny bringing and hiding Easter eggs. However, many regional traditions exist. In many regions in Northern Germany, 'Easter fires' play an important role. These 'holy fires' on the eve of Easter Sunday are dating back to the times of the Germanic tribes. The fires, which were understood as a symbol of the end of the winter season, also were rumoured to protect from the evil witches.
Belgium
In Belgium, the country of chocolate and pralines, the 'flying bells' legend is told. According to the legend, on Good Friday (which is not a public holiday in Belgium), the church bells fly to Rome, which is why the churches in the country remain silent until Easter. When the church bells come back, they bring Easter presents for the kids. So, in Belgium, not the Easter rabbit is 'responsible' for Easter presents, but the church bells. However, in some regions, the Easter Bunny is helping.
Ireland
One of the most unusual Easter traditions you can find is in Ireland: the herrings' funeral. The herrings are buried in tiny graves, which are specially made for this ceremony, symbolizing the end of the fasting period in which instead of meat, only fish is allowed.
Netherlands
In many cities in the Netherlands, Easter breakfast also takes place at schools. Children at primary school make an Easter breakfast box for another child in their class. Often this box is decorated with beautiful Easter things and contains all the ingredients for a delicious breakfast. A unique tradition in the Netherlands on Easter Monday is visiting a furniture store.
Poland
In Poland, it could be useful to take an umbrella with you as otherwise, you might get wet. The reason is hundreds of years old tradition: on Easter Monday, women in Poland are sprinkled with water. Nowadays, this is also happening with buckets, water pistols and water balloons.
Switzerland
Due to vast cultural differences in each of the Swiss regions, Swiss Easter traditions are very diverse. In the Geneva area, fountains are beautifully decorated with sprays, ribbons and Easter eggs. In the Valais canton, people gather just before sunrise on top of the hills to collect the morning sun. And in Zurich, kids are holding an Easter egg in their hands while an adult aims at it the way the coin gets stuck in the egg.
Sweden
In Sweden everything is a little different. Instead of the Easter Bunny it is the Easter Chick that is hiding Easter eggs. That´s the reason why Easter days in Sweden are dominated by a bright yellow colour. Similarly to the American 'Trick or Treating' tradition, on Holy Thursday kids are dressing up as little witches and travel fom house to house asking for sweets or little gifts at people´s doors.
Austria
On beautifully decorated long sticks which can be several meters high, kids in Austria bring pretzels and apples to church. As the church bells remain silent before Easter (the bells have flown to Rome), 'loud boys' are taking over the setting with their wooden rattle instruments.
Croatia
Also in Croatia Easter eggs play an important role. With their unique techniques of engraving, colouring with wax and many more, they became real works of art. Like in Austria, kids move through the streets with rattles and loud toy trumpets to replace the missing sound of the church bells.
Czechia
A special tradition in Czechia is the 'smooth hitting' when boys symbolically whip girls with a beautifully decorated willow branches. The tradition says that through this part of the tree its energy is given to the girl so that she will stay healthy. In return, the boys receive a colourful Easter egg.
Hungary
The tradition of sprinkling women on Easter Monday is also very popular in Hungary. Varying from region to region, men will have to recite poems first in order to ask for permission to do so. The custom is said to make the women´s beauty flourish. In return, the boys receive a red Easter egg.
Slovenia
In Slovenia, customs differ from region to region. Games involving Easter eggs are traditionally often played. One traditional game: at some distance, young and old competitors aim for the Easter egg with a coin. The one whose coins gets stuck in the egg is the winner.
Slovakia
The tradition of egg painting in Slovakia is a very artful one. Sometimes the eggs are boiled together with beetroot for their red colour or onions for yellow colour. Like in many other countries, the tradition of pouring water over women on Easter Monday is still very popular. However, this is sometimes done in a softened version by spraying perfume.
Australia
In many countries, the Easter Bunny is the one bringing and hiding Easter eggs. Since its introduction to Australia, the rabbit has caused severe problems to native animal species there. For that reason, in Australia the Easter rabbit has been replaced by another animal, the bilby.
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CWS wishes you a happy Easter!