What is Easter? Easter Traditions by Country 🪺 🐰

Easter is one of the most common holidays celebrated in many different ways in various countries around the world. The celebration of Easter, one of the most important religious holidays in terms of Christianity, has transcended the religious dimension over time and has been shaped according to the traditions of the region where it is celebrated with cultural colors.

What is Easter?

Easter is a religious holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the grave on the third day after his crucifixion. According to the Christian religion, remembering the resurrection of Jesus renews the hope of victory over sin.

The first thing that comes to mind when we think of Easter is probably colorful eggs and candy. In pagan traditions, Easter, which is regarded as the oldest and most significant Christian event, is also seen as the arrival of spring. Egg dyeing at Easter is considered a symbol of fertility in Christian traditions. The color of these eggs actually symbolizes the blood of Jesus. According to one belief, the color red symbolizes the blood and sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Eggs and rabbits, symbols of fertility and new life, are indispensable elements of Easter.

In 2025, Easter falls on April 20. Easter is celebrated on the Sunday following the Easter full moon, the first full moon after the vernal equinox. Apart from the common church services, there are Easter traditions that vary by country.

Easter egg hunt

One of the most well-known and beloved Easter traditions is the egg hunt. Dating back to 16th century Germany, when Martin Luther began organizing egg hunts for his congregation, the tradition involves hiding eggs to be found by children. According to British historians, the discovery of Jesus' empty tomb by women was a reference to the resurrection story, in which men hid eggs for women and children to find. Although the tradition of the egg hunt dates back to this story, it has now become a common practice among secularists as well.

Water War

In Poland they throw lots of water at each other to celebrate Easter, “Dmigus Dyngus” (Monday is wet, wet festivities happen on Easter Monday). In the old days it was usually single men chasing single girls, but nowadays almost everyone has a water fight. They celebrate Easter by dousing each other with water guns, empty shampoo cans and buckets.

Light a bonfire

It is a common Easter tradition in Northwest European societies to start the two-day celebrations with a bonfire. This fire, called the Easter Fire, was originally lit to help banish the darkness of winter. Over the years, people thought it was a fun way to get together and celebrate the coming spring, and the tradition has continued.

Offering egg-shaped candies

An important symbol of Jesus' resurrection is the egg. Therefore safe to say that the oval shape of the egg is the inspiration for all Easter sweets. Egg-shaped jelly beans, chocolates and candies are a favorite Easter snack not only for children but also for adults.

Dyeing Easter eggs red

In Greece, which celebrates Easter in accordance with the Orthodox Church, when it is time to dye eggs, they are dyed in a single color, red, instead of the traditional mix of colors. It is possible to say that Easter eggs dyed red are more symbolic than others. The red color here represents the blood of Jesus. This is why the eggs are dyed red.

Eating Ham and Deviled Eggs

To celebrate Easter, many people in the United States eat meals with favorite holiday snacks like ham and deviled eggs.

Eating hot buns

Hot cross buns are a favorite among children at Easter in some parts of New Zealand and Australia, where the holiday, celebrated in the autumn months, is sweetened with cross buns.

Wearing a costume

One of the fun Easter traditions that young Finnish children participate in is dressing up as Easter Witches. Children usually dress up in colorful clothes with painted freckles on their cheeks on Sunday in eastern Finland and Saturday in western Finland. Decorated with colored feathers and crepe paper, they go around the doors reading verses to ward off evil spirits in exchange for chocolate eggs.

Similarly, on Holy Thursday in the medieval Spanish town of Verges, a traditional dance of death takes place. Scenes are reenacted and everyone dresses up as skeletons and joins the dance from midnight. The event usually lasts until the early hours of the morning.

Flying a kite

Easter on the island of Bermuda is celebrated with a huge kite festival. All of the colorful kites flying in various shapes are handmade. This tradition, which started when teachers asked students to make a kite to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus, continues to this day.

Happy Easter! 🪺