From all over the world: Easter worldwide: Whiplashes and Co. – the most bizarre customs

Easter is considered the most important festival in Christianity. The various Christian denominations around the world commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Christian content of Easter is mixed with old pagan traditions. That’s how the word goes “Easter” possibly derives from the name of a Germanic goddess of fertility named Eostrae, whose festival was celebrated at the beginning of spring. Easter in Germany is also marked by many public holidays. More on the subject: All public holidays 2023 in Germany at a glance

The Easter bunny and Easter eggs are not of Christian origin, but of pagan origin. In German-speaking countries, according to the traditional Easter custom, Meister Lampe hides colorfully painted eggs and other Easter sweets, which the children then have to find on Easter Sunday. Many workers can contact Easter also look forward to a long weekend. Good Friday and Easter Monday are national public holidays. The Easter days at a glance:

Easter around the world: The Easter bunny has been abolished in these countries

The Easter Bunny does not enjoy a good reputation everywhere. In Australia they got rid of it altogether thanks to its relatives, the rabbits. They were brought into the country by European settlers about 150 years ago and subsequently multiplied so quickly that they developed into a real plague. So the Australians gave the tasks of the Easter bunny to a local bandicoot, the bilby, which looks a bit like a rabbit with its long ears.

The Easter Bilby has meanwhile developed into a real star Down Under. Chocolate Easter Bilby’s can be bought in stores for Easter and students in Bilby costumes are handing out eggs on the pedestrian streets of Australian cities. Easter is also celebrated in other English-speaking countries in a different and sometimes more bizarre way.

This is the custom in Ireland herring funeral. Since in the once strictly Catholic country during Lent, which ends at Easter, no meat but at most fish was allowed to be eaten, the butchers in particular were so happy that they symbolically buried herrings in the ground at Easter. The Easter custom has continued to this day.

Also read: Aldi, Lidl & Co.: Experts warn against colored Easter eggs

Easter worldwide : Easter egg roll and whipping – the most bizarre customs

Meanwhile, in Scotland and the United States, there is a tradition of Easter egg roll. On Easter Sunday, whole families gather in many parks to roll hard-boiled and painted Easter eggs down a hill. The winner is the one whose egg rolls the furthest distance without being damaged. In the USA, even the US President invites children to the Easter Egg Roll every year. They have to use a kind of spoon to carry their Easter eggs across the lawn on Capitol Hill.

In our eastern neighbors the Czech Republic and Poland, on the other hand, things get pretty busy at Easter. In the Czech Republic, Easter Monday is also known as the Whip Monday known. The men whip the women’s legs with willow branches. However, nowadays it is more often stroked than whipped. The blows are said to bring youth and health. The women traditionally thank the men for this at Easter with chocolate and schnapps.

Easter in Poland: water fights on the street – custom has ecclesiastical origins

In Poland, Easter is a real celebration water fights organized. The custom is said to date back to 966, when the then Polish ruler was baptized. Today, on Easter Monday, the Poles attack each other with water pistols and filled buckets of water. Sometimes even the fire engines of the fire brigade deliver lively battles. Easter on the other side of the Oder-Neisse border is always a boozy affair.

Until a few years ago there was one on the Greek island of Chios Easter custom, which is more reminiscent of New Year’s Eve. Members of two parishes shot at each other with homemade rockets across a valley. The tradition is said to date back to the time when the island was occupied by the Ottomans and the residents wanted to scare off the occupiers with fireworks. However, in 2018, the Greek authorities banned the Easter spectacle. It had just become too dangerous for them. (took)

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