Easter customs and their meaning

Easter is a feast for the whole family, where we enjoy delicious Easter recipes and make Easter decorations ourselves. Above all, there are many Easter customs, some of which have a long tradition. Here come the most famous Easter customs.

coloring Easter eggs

Coloring Easter eggs and painting Easter eggs is a common Easter custom. Whether the origin of the custom lies in the Christian faith, is not quite clear, since the coloring of eggshell is already older than the Christian tradition. However, the early Christians used eggs as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus and colored them exclusively red to indicate the blood shed by death.

Today at Easter we have a lot of fun with this DIY project and decorate our Easter shrubs and Easter eggs with it. By the way here you will find all the tips to blow eggs for Easter.

to look for Easter eggs

The custom of egg hunt was first mentioned in writing in the 17th century and today children still have great fun. However, the custom of egg-giving took place earlier, here it was above all birds that made the children happy. However, there are several theories of origin to the egg hunt as well as the egg-laying.

The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is probably THE symbol for Easter - and the cutest Easter custom yet. Also to him there are numerous variants about the origin of the Easter Bunny. You can read the full story here: Easter Bunny Origin and Meaning.

The Easter water

The Easter water is a symbol of life and fertility and is also known as blessed baptismal water in the Easter Vigil. The Easter custom dates back to pagan times when it was believed that the water was special healing powers possessed. All women therefore went to a brook on the morning of Easter Sunday to bathe in or fetch water. (Hence the name: Osterwasser.) It was said that the Easter water would fertility and beauty achieve.

The easter fire

The custom of the Easter fire has both a Christian and a pagan background. In Germany, the Easter bonfire is partly lit on Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday or even on Easter Monday. According to Christian belief, the Easter fire is the resurrection of Jesus. According to pagan custom, winter is driven away by the Easter fire and the ashes of the fire are scattered across the fields. Therefore, the Easter fire is also a fertility ritual.

The Easter wheel

The easter-wheel belongs to the tradition of the Easter-fire. When the fire has almost burned down, cartwheels wrapped in straw are lit by the easter fire. These are then rolled through the village and are to drive out the winter. The Easter wheel symbolizes the sun.

The Easter candle

The Easter candle represents life and is present in Roman, Jewish, Greek and Christian tradition. The custom originated in Christianity in the 4th century. The Easter candle represents Jesus Christwho has risen from the dead. The candle is lit at the Easter fire on the night of Holy Saturday on the Easter Sunday. Most easter candles are only lit in churches. All parishioners light their own candle at the Easter candle. At the end of the service, the candle stops on the altar and is lit again and again until Pentecost.

The Easter lamb

The Easter lamb has a long tradition in the Christian faith and stands for innocence. Today we meet the Easter lamb, especially in cake form. Everything about tradition and delicious recipes for baking can be found here: Osterlamm: meaning and tradition. By the way: your Easter brunch also includes a delicious Easter bread - simply irresistible.

The Easter riding

Among the most famous Easter traditions is also the Easter riding (also called Osterritt). This Easter custom has a Christian tradition. This is about the, Embassy about the resurrection of Christ spread and therefore takes place on Easter Sunday. Both riders and horses are blessed.

The Easter walk

The Easter Walk is a custom practiced either on Easter Sunday or Easter Monday. Many families plan a trip to nature and enjoy the contemplative time. Johann Wolfgang Goethe wrote in "Faust - tragedy first part" of an extended Easter walk. This was about the, the Welcome spring.

But in fact the outdoor walk has a religious background and will Emmaus passage called. He recalls the march to the city of Emmaus, where two disciples of Jesus Christ could not accept the resurrection portrayal of Mary Magdalene.

The egg-throwing

A rarely encountered Easter tradition: in different regions of Germany (especially in the north) boiled eggs are taken during a walk and used for Easter games.Especially popular is the egg-throwing, where the eggs with as few litters as possible must be brought to a destination.

Well, which of the Easter customs do you like best?

When Easter is 2019 and in the next years, you will learn here: When is easter?

In addition, we have put together delicious Easter recipes for Easter on our Pinterest pin board.