Interesting Easter Traditions and Celebrations You Should Know

Easter is a celebration that goes way above and beyond colourful eggs, parades, and cultural festivities. It is a festival that unites families all over the world to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The festival of Easter is considered one of the most important and oldest festivals. It is part of the Christian Church and is a time of joy, hope, and renewal for Christians, symbolising the victory of life over death and the forgiveness of sins. So, let's find out what the exact meaning of Easter is, a few fun Easter celebrations, and the many amazing Easter traditions that people celebrate around the world! 

The Origin of Easter

“Go quickly, and tell His disciples that He is risen from the dead - MATTHEW 28:7”

Before we learn about the different celebrations and Easter traditions around the world, let's begin by understanding where Easter came from and how the celebrations first started. Easter, also known as Resurrection Sunday, is usually celebrated on the third day after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. The earliest recorded observance of Easter dates all the way back to the 2nd Century; however, the resurrection probably occurred earlier than that. An interesting fact about Easter and the associated holidays fall on moveable dates, meaning that they don't necessarily fall on fixed dates. However, it can fall sometime between the end of March and the end of April. 

The date for Easter is determined on a lunisolar calendar similar to the Hebrew calendar. In Western Christianity, easter sunday is the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring, which usually falls around March 21st. But Eastern Orthodox churches follow a different calendar, so they might celebrate easter a bit earlier or later than the Western churches. Now, if you're wondering about the significance of Easter, keep reading, and you'll know everything! 

The Significance of Easter

The significance and meaning of Easter mainly revolve around the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, which holds unimaginable importance and religious meaning for Christians around the world. In essence, Easter signifies the triumph of life over death. Christians believe that Jesus rose from the dead on the third day after being crucified. This Resurrection is seen as a testament to God's power, offering believers hope and redemption. In addition, according to Christian theology, the Resurrection of Jesus provides forgiveness for sins as well. Easter is also the culmination of Holy Week, which includes events like Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday. 

Popular Easter Traditions Around the World

“Think of all the beauty still left around you and be happy.” — Anne Frank

The festival of Easter comes with a number of joyous and exciting traditions that are observed by people all over the world in their unique ways. From egg hunts that thrill the young and the young at heart to the beautiful Easter parades, these traditions instil a sense of community and belonging in people. Let's take a look at some of the most celebrated Easter traditions around the world:

1. Easter Egg Decorating

This Easter tradition is one of the most common ones. All you need to do is grab plain eggs, gather your supplies, and transform them into colourful masterpieces. It's the perfect way to unleash your creativity!

2. Easter Egg Hunts

Most people celebrate this festival with the ancient easter tradition of Egg Hunts. This celebration is a thrilling adventure where the adults and children of the family hunt for hidden eggs, which are usually filled with surprises! It is an Easter tradition for all ages. 

3. Easter Baskets

Easter Baskets are like magical treasure chests filled with sweet surprises. Thoughtfully created and filled with treats, these baskets are a great gift to give to your family and friends as a part of Easter traditions. 

4. Easter Parades

Attending Easter parades with family and friends is also one of the best ways to celebrate Easter. Festive marches with vibrant colours and costumes showcase the community spirit beautifully, making this one of the best Easter traditions around the world. 

5. Easter Sunday Church Services

Easter Sunday Church Services are the heart of the celebration. Solemn rituals, uplifting hymns, and reflections are all a part of the easter service. It's a special time to commemorate the Resurrection, fostering a sense of spiritual unity and renewal.

6. Easter Meals and Feasts

Easter food is known all over the world to be the best. It is a delicious easter tradition that unites families and friends to enjoy special dishes and amazing desserts, such as Carrot Cakes, Lime Tarts, and Berry Trifles. These traditions are one of the best ones, we think! 

Each one of these Easter traditions shares the same goal: to celebrate the festival with the family in the best way possible. And now, moving on to something more interesting, let's see how the entire world celebrates Resurrection Sunday.

Easter Culture Around The World: How The World Celebrates

Along with a number of traditions, there are also various Easter celebrations around the world. How is Easter celebrated around the world? Well, every country likes to celebrate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ in their way, starting from games and festivities to food and parades. However, they are still a tad different from each other in tiny ways. We've handpicked a few countries with some of the best Easter traditions around the world. Have a look!

1. Spain: Semana Santa

In Spain, Easter celebrations include grand processions and religious events throughout the Holy Week, known as Semana Santa. In infamous cities like Seville and Malaga, elaborate parades featuring hooded penitents, ornate floats depicting biblical scenes, and the sound of sombre music fill the streets. There are plenty of other cultures in Spain, which you can read more about in our blog on the Culture in Spain. 

2. Greece: Holy Week and Midnight Resurrection

In Greece, Easter, or "Pascha," is one of the most important religious easter celebrations. The Holy Week includes processions and church services. Interestingly, on Holy Saturday night, people attend midnight Mass, and at the stroke of midnight, the Resurrection is announced, followed by fireworks and people exclaiming "Christos Anesti" (Christ has Risen).

3. United States: Easter Egg Hunts and Parades

Easter celebrations are at their peak in the United States. Families often participate in and organise various traditions, including Easter egg hunts. People also attend Easter parades, which are Easter celebrations on a grand scale. 

4. Italy: La Pasquetta

Easter Monday, known as "La Pasquetta," is a public holiday in Italy. Easter celebrations include outdoor activities and picnics with family and friends. Italians often escape to the countryside or the coast for a relaxing day, enjoying traditional Easter dishes like lamb and Easter bread.

5. Philippines: Semana Santa and Good Friday Processions

In the Philippines, Holy Week, or "Semana Santa," is observed with intense religious fervour. Good Friday processions featuring life-sized statues depicting the Passion of Christ draw large crowds. The meaning of Easter can be clearly seen in the way the Philippines participate in Easter celebrations. 

6. Germany: Bunte Eier or Osterei

In Germany, Easter celebrations are a colourful tradition called Bunte Eier or Osterei, where people decorate boiled eggs with different colours and patterns and then hang them on trees. Eggs symbolise new beginnings and the arrival of spring. Another easter tradition, Osterfeuer, involves lighting big fires to mark the victory of light over darkness. This easter tradition has been going on for ages. Families come together around the fire, sing songs, and roast marshmallows under the starry sky, making it a wonderful way to welcome the spring season!

7. Malta: Live Band Marches

In Malta, Easter is a time filled with excitement and deep devotion. People gather for processions, carrying statues of Jesus and Mary through the streets while praying and enjoying music. They also share sweet almond-filled pastries called Figolli, shaped like fish, rabbits, and crosses. Local folks attend church services and processions with reverence and respect, making their Easter celebrations a special time of community and faith.

Wherever you go, Easter celebrations and traditions are performed on a grand scale. Starting from Easter services with delicious Easter food traditions to Easter parades, it is a festival worth celebrating no matter what community you belong to. Additionally, Easter Sunday meanings will always remain constant, but the traditions and celebrations for celebrating Easter will keep evolving. So, with Easter just around the corner, we hope we've covered everything you need to know about the festival, celebrations and traditions! So go on and start planning now!