Easter Customs Involving the Egg

Easter is either a time for reflection or an excuse for many to indulge in chocolate. There are some things, like Easter eggs, chocolate bunnies, and chocolates, that are common worldwide at Easter. Nevertheless, from North to South

and from East to West, there are many differences. In our research on Easter traditions around the globe, we discovered some truly interesting and fascinating traditions from Australia, Europe, Mexico, and other nations. Or did you know that in Florence, Italy, fireworks are set off in the middle of the city?

In almost all Easter customs worldwide, the egg is included, as it symbolizes resurrection in Christian tradition. The chick hatching fresh from the egg is reminiscent of Jesus’ resurrection on Easter Sunday. However, the egg also plays an important role as a symbol in other religions and pagan customs. In the Jewish Passover festival, for example, the egg stands for human fertility, but also for the fragility of human destiny.
However, the decorating of eggs has an older origin than the Christian tradition. Decorated ostrich eggs were already found in ancient Egyptian tombs. Early Christians painted the eggs red to commemorate the blood of Jesus. But the dyeing in different colors originated from the need to identify the age of the eggs. Since no meat or eggs were eaten during Lent from Ash Wednesday until Easter, the eggs were hard-boiled and dyed differently. This way, older eggs could be distinguished from newer ones.

Today, the Sorbs are particularly known for their elaborately decorated Easter eggs. Here, different colors symbolize different qualities:

• Red stands for the sacrificial death of Christ
• White symbolizes purity
• Green stands for youth and innocence
• Yellow stands for the desire for wisdom and enlightenment
• Orange symbolizes strength, endurance, and ambition

Where does the Easter Bunny come from?

In German-speaking countries, it is the Easter Bunny that hides the eggs in the garden. It has prevailed against originally present animal competitors such as the Easter fox, the stork, and the rooster. It also exists in the USA as the “Easter bunny.” There is no precise explanation for its origin, but the rabbit, like the egg, could symbolize resurrection and fertility, thus securing its firm place in the Easter festival.

What is the meaning of the Easter bonfire?

The Easter bonfire is also a tradition mainly practiced in German-speaking regions. On Holy Saturday, a huge bonfire made of tree and shrub cuttings is lit. In some regions, a straw witch doll or a tree trunk symbolizing Judas (the disciple who betrayed Christ) is also thrown into the fire. Most Easter bonfires are social festivals, such as in the Harz (where the Easter bonfires are called “Ostermeiler”), which are celebrated with mulled wine and beer.

Easter in Different Countries

Austria

When bunnies lay eggs at Easter…

This is not the opening line of a fairy tale, but a charming tradition that delights all Austrian children on Easter morning. Because in Austria, Easter is all about the egg. Here, bunnies have the magical power to distribute their colorfully decorated eggs in the garden and place them in a basket. In Austria, it is primarily the Easter bonfires that define the Easter celebration. This popular custom has long been an integral part of Easter night, especially in the Alpine region.

However, Easter customs also vary within the country, as each federal state is characterized by regional peculiarities. In Styria, for example, it is the consecrated fire on Holy Saturday. In Tyrol, on the other hand, the first Easter customs begin with Palm Sunday, with the blessing of palms. During the palm blessing, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem is honored with so-called “Palmbuschen,” a bouquet of pussy willows decorated with colorful ribbons.

Scandinavia

Here, the traditions are very similar to those in Austria and Germany. But according to legend, in Sweden on Maundy Thursday, the Easter witch Påskkärring flies to her witch mountain Blåkulla. On this day, children dress up as witches with colorful headscarves and broomsticks and go from door to door with an empty coffee pot in hand. They ask for sweets and give homemade Easter letters as a thank you.

In Denmark, people write Gækkebrev, so-called fool’s letters or secret letters, which are artfully painted, decorated, and cut out. These secret letters are anonymous and contain small verses and poems. The recipient must then guess who the letter is from. If they succeed, they receive an Easter egg. If they don’t guess correctly, they must donate a chocolate egg to the sender.

In Finland, the Easter festival begins as early as Palm Sunday with a particularly contemplative tradition: everyone arms themselves with a birch rod and uses it to strike their friends and family. This is meant to bring good luck for the coming year and symbolizes the palm fronds for Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem.
On Easter Sunday, loud parades take place, where children march through the streets with drums, cans, and anything that makes noise. This is supposed to drive away evil winter spirits and clear the way for spring.