Easter is celebrated worldwide with a mix of religious, cultural, and folk traditions. While it’s primarily a Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus, many countries have unique customs. Here’s a detailed look:
1. United States
Easter Egg Hunts: Children search for hidden eggs filled with candy or toys.
Easter Bunny: A symbol of fertility that delivers eggs.
Easter Parades: Cities like New York host parades featuring colorful outfits and bonnets.
2. United Kingdom
Hot Cross Buns: Sweet buns marked with a cross, traditionally eaten on Good Friday.
Egg Rolling: Eggs are rolled down hills in competitions, symbolizing the stone rolled away from Jesus’ tomb.
Morris Dancing: Traditional folk dances are performed in some villages.
3. Germany
Osterbaum (Easter Tree): Trees are decorated with colorful eggs.
Easter Fires: Bonfires are lit to chase away winter and welcome spring.
Easter Markets: Similar to Christmas markets, with festive food and crafts.
4. Italy
Scoppio del Carro (Explosion of the Cart): In Florence, a cart filled with fireworks is ignited to ensure a good harvest.
Processions: Many cities hold solemn religious processions, especially in Rome and Sicily.
Easter Eggs: Often made of chocolate, sometimes containing small gifts.
5. Spain
Semana Santa (Holy Week): Elaborate processions with floats depicting biblical scenes, especially in Seville and Málaga.
Paschal Music: Special music and singing accompany celebrations.
6. France
Flying Bells (Les Cloches Volantes): Bells “fly” from Rome on Good Friday, returning on Easter Sunday with chocolate gifts for children.
Chocolate Eggs and Fish: Eggs, bunnies, and even chocolate fish are popular treats.
7. Greece
Red Eggs: Eggs are dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ.
Easter Fireworks: Bonfires and fireworks light up the night.
Feasting: Lamb is traditionally roasted for the Easter meal.
8. Australia
Bilby Instead of Bunny: Due to the ecological impact of rabbits, the Easter Bilby is promoted as a native alternative.
Egg Hunts: Still common, with chocolate treats for kids.
9. Poland
Śmigus-Dyngus (Wet Monday): On Easter Monday, people playfully sprinkle water on each other.
Pisanki: Decorated Easter eggs using wax-resist or painting techniques.
10. Mexico
Semana Santa: Large religious processions with passion plays reenacting the crucifixion.
Cascarones: Eggs filled with confetti are broken over people’s heads for luck.
11. Ethiopia
Fasika: The Orthodox Christian Easter is celebrated later than Western Easter, often after 55 days of fasting.
Feasting and Church Services: Families attend lengthy church services and break the fast with traditional foods like injera and doro wat (spicy chicken stew).
12. Philippines
Salubong: A pre-dawn ritual where statues of the Virgin Mary and the risen Christ meet.
Processions: Many towns stage elaborate street processions.
Easter Eggs: Like elsewhere, children hunt for eggs, often accompanied by church celebrations.