At Easter, Christians celebrate that Jesus rose from the dead. Easter lasts two days and is celebrated on Sunday and Monday. Easter no longer has a religious meaning for many people, it is a day on which we eat well and search for eggs with our loved ones.
Dyeing eggs and searching for eggs are two things that make Easter complete for almost everyone. Yet many people do not know where this tradition comes from. Originally, Christians fasted between Ash Wednesday and Easter. When Lent was introduced, the church forbade the consumption of eggs. The eggs were not allowed to be eaten again until Easter. At that time, there was of course an abundance of eggs, so everyone ate eggs. The old eggs were used to dye and decorate.
Many people eat matzos at Passover . This flat cracker originates from the Jewish faith. Where Christians celebrate Easter, Jews celebrate Passover. Passover celebrates the liberation from slavery in Egypt. During this week of celebration, people only eat matzos. Bread with yeast in it may not be eaten.
In the Netherlands we have many traditions when it comes to Easter. Eating matzos, painting eggs and Easter branches in the living room are just a few of them. In parts of the country, large Easter fires are still lit. And egg fights also occur in parts of the country. People then try to smash the hard-boiled egg of others, while trying to leave their own egg whole.
Have you ever noticed that in the days before Easter no church bells ring? This is not only the case in the Netherlands, it is also a tradition in Belgium and France. Legend has it that all the bells fly to Rome to collect Easter eggs and return on Easter morning.
Abroad they have traditions that surprise us. For example, in Australia they do not celebrate the festival with an Easter bunny but with an “Easterbilby”, the long-eared marsupial. The hare is an exotic species that causes a lot of nuisance in Australia. That is why they celebrate it with an animal that is much more beloved than a hare.
What is more fun than doing something extra for Easter. Dress up as the Easter Bunny and hide the eggs. Many families search for eggs in the morning before or after Easter breakfast or brunch. By dressing up you make the experience even more fun for children (and adults). Make it a competition, the one with the most eggs wins! Or use different colored eggs, where you are only allowed to collect eggs of a certain color.
What you can also do is give everyone an Easter crochet suit for Easter. Nice with the family bunny around the Easter table where you eat your Easter brunch. It looks funny and it gives nice pictures to send to family.
Happy Easter everyone!
