So German!
Mar 28, 2018 - Stefan Garczorz for SoGerman
Only a few couple of days to go until the Easter weekend. Easter is the most important Christian celebration, however, it is also a national holiday and a particular good occasion to spend quality time with your loved ones. Since every important religious feast leaves its roots in a nation’s culture, we would like to present some of the most common Easter traditions you would find in Germany.
Painting Easter Eggs
Painting eggs is a very common tradition you would see all over Germany. Literally every person you would ask about it could tell you some stories from his or her childhood how he or she would paint eggs with their parents or friends.
The egg symbolizes the resurrection of Christ. While it was forbidden to eat eggs during lent, people would cook the eggs they were collecting during lent to conserve them. On Easter Sunday, with the end of lent, they would be given to the children.
Easter Egg Hunt
This tradition dates back to the 17th century. On Easter Sunday, children would search Easter eggs (or small presents) with their parents. Usually, the families would go outside to parks or meadows, enjoying the first days of spring too.
Easter Bunny
The Easter bunny firstly hopped into our lives during the 17th century, symbolizing fertility. In Germany and many other countries it is tradition to give the children Easter bunnies made of chocolate in various forms and sizes.
Easter Lamb
The Easter lamb originates from the Jewish tradition of celebrating the Peschal Feast. In the Christian world, the lamb symbolizes purity and life. It is quite common to eat a brioche-style cake in the form of a lamb at Easter. Some families prepare lamb meat for Easter Sunday as their main dish.
The Easter Fire
In the early morning of Easter Sunday, you will see small fires in front of many churches in Germany. The fire symbolizes the light of the resurrection.
Easter Candle
The Easter candle is the symbol of God’s presence in the church. All over Germany, the heavy Easter candles will be lit up during Easter mass early in the morning.
Easter Tree
Like for Christmas, many people in Germany decorate a tree for Easter, attaching eggs or figures on it. However, the tradition differs slightly: While on Christmas, people would decorate pine trees, on Easter most of the decorated ‘’trees’’ would be actually branches from bushes. Not so common is the tradition to decorate trees outside with eggs.
For more information please consult:
http://www.familie.de/kind/osterbraeuche-510207.html (in German only)
