Posted by Natalie on 21st Mar 2024
Easter egg hunts.
As eggs were seen as symbols of fertility and new life in ancient cultures, representing the arrival of Spring and the cycle of rebirth. People would decorate and hide eggs during springtime festivals, believing they held magical properties to promote fertility and protect against evil spirits. The custom of the Easter eggs hunt is said to date back to the late 19th century in Germany, with the tradition being linked to the Easter Bunny or the Hare as he was formally known. During the medieval period, eating eggs was also forbidden during lent, on Easter Sunday the fast would then end with celebrations and feasting on eggs. Eggs were also given to churches on Good Friday as part of the celebrations. Overtime this tradition has evolved into the activity we see today where parents hide eggs for children to find during Easter eggs hunts.
Easter Bonnets.
The tradition of wearing Easter bonnets dates back centuries, with roots in both religious and cultural practices. Initially, head covering was worn during spring festivals to celebrate the season of rebirth and renewal. As Christianity grew and Easter increasing became an important religious holiday these springtime traditions merged with Christian beliefs. By the 18th century, the Easter bonnet was an essential part of fashion and culture in Europe and the US. Women would create elaborate bonnets made with flowers, ribbons feathers and other decorations and these would be worn during Easter church services and parades. Easter parades became popular events for people to showcase their crafted Easter bonnets, with women often competing for the best and most extravagant bonnet. Despite the decline in popularity, the tradition of Easter bonnets continues today, often seen in schools with children creating their own Easter bonnets.
Hot Cross buns.
Traditionally, hot cross buns were only eaten on Good Friday to honour the significance of the day that commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ in Christian tradition. The buns are decorated with a cross to symbolise the different aspects of the Easter story. Overtime, hot cross buns have become a popular treat available throughout the Easter season.
Traditions from around the world.
Easter traditions vary widely across the world, each country adding their own unique touch to the celebration.
Australians have their very own version of the Easter Bunny; the Easter Bilby which are native marsupials. The Easter Bilby emerged as a conservation effort to raise awareness of their engagement due to habitat loss and competition with non-native species. To support conservation efforts chocolate bilbies have been introduced to symbolise Easter, purchasing one of these chocolate treats will help fund conservation projects and increases awareness of the need to protect native wildlife.
In Finland, one common family traditions is for children to dress up as ‘Easter witches’, they will then go door to door and present handmade cards in exchange for Easter treats. Whilst this sounds very similar to trick or treating on Halloween, it is associated with the old belief in Finnish folklore that around Easter witches would fly around making mischief and would like to a mythical place known as ‘Pasdiaissari’.
Any book or crime lover will love Norway’s Easter tradition which began in 1923 when two authors collaborated on a crime novel, to promote this novel the authors place an advertisement on the front page of a major newspaper and made it look like a real breaking news story which encouraged reader to buy the book and help solve the mystery. This marketing strategy was a huge success and since then Norwegians have embraced the tradition of enjoying crime fiction during the Easter period with many enjoying crime novels and television channels showing new and popular crime shows.
Leading up to Easter weekend in Bermuda, people will spend their time crafting and decorating kites in their Good Friday Kite-Fest, where all ages fly vibrant kites in various shapes and sizes with many designs featuring religious themes or cultural symbols. This tradition is thought to have originated when a Sunday school teacher used a kite to demonstrate the ascension of Jesus.
In this modern age, Easter has evolved into a celebration that harmonizes commercial appeal, cultural diversity and religious roots which brings joy to people around the world.
So, let’s carry forward the spirit and welcome traditions old and new from around the world.
Will you participate in something new this season? However, you choose to celebrate, we hope it is full of joy and creating memories that will be cherished.
Happy Easter to you all!
Looking to partake in the Easter traditions or take the family on a day out?
Take a look at what is happening in the area.
Whisk your family away to Wonderland on an Easter trail this Easter. 23rd March to 7th April Wonderland Trail | Cannon Hall (cannon-hall.com)
Join Peter Rabbit in hunting for clues in the great outdoors. A fun filled day for the whole family on this Peter Rabbit inspired trail. 29th March to 1st April.
Peter Rabbit inspired woodland trail (10th April) | Hooton Lodge Farm
Take the family to find all the bunnies and solve a puzzle on this Easter Egg-Stravaganza trail. 23rd March-7th April. Elsecar Easter Egg-Stravaganza Trail | Elsecar Heritage Centre (elsecar-heritage.com)
