EASTER TRADITIONS

Discover The Meaning Of Easter And Some Of Its Traditions

As the arrival of Easter Sunday approaches on April 9 this year, people all over the world are gearing up for one of the most exciting celebrations of the year! This Christian holiday is observed in almost 95 countries, with around 80 percent of the population participating in the festivities.

Get ready for a feast for the senses as Easter Sunday comes alive with vibrant colors, mouthwatering foods, and joyful traditions! From the lively Easter egg hunts to the joyous visits with the Easter Bunny, this holiday is full of delightful surprises and heartwarming moments.

For centuries, Easter Sunday has been celebrated as a tribute to the resurrection of Jesus Christ. And as time has passed, numerous traditions have emerged to mark this event, each with its own unique flare. Whether you’re gathering with family or friends, there’s no doubt that the spirit of Easter will fill the air, bringing people together with love, hope, and joy. So, mark your calendars and join in the fun as we honor this sacred holiday in our own special way. Let’s make this year’s Easter Sunday a day to remember!

Sunrise Easter Service

One long-standing tradition is the sunrise Easter service, which dates back to 1732 when the Moravian Church held the first service at dawn in Germany. This practice honors the moment when Mary discovered Jesus’ tomb was empty early in the morning.

Ham/Lamb

Although the choice of what to serve for Easter dinner might come down to taste preference, the menu holds great significance for some. In early Jewish history, lambs were sacrificed as offerings to God and served regularly as part of the Passover feast. Then, when Jesus died during Passover, he represented the ultimate sacrifice for sin, the “lamb of God,” so the animal evolved into a meaningful symbol for Christians. Many Orthodox Christians still follow the Jewish Orthodox customs of not eating any pork, so lamb takes center stage at their Easter meal.

The Easter Bunny and Easter Baskets

The Easter Bunny and Easter baskets are also popular Easter traditions that have evolved over time. The Easter Bunny is believed to have originated from ancient spring and fertility celebrations, while Easter baskets may have originated with Middle Eastern farmers bringing baskets of seedlings to be blessed for a successful harvest.

Hot Cross Buns

These festive rolls have their origins in ancient Egypt, Rome and Greece, where they were considered symbols of honor for their goddesses. Eventually, they gained popularity during Easter in England, where bakers were restricted from selling spiced breads except on special occasions such as the Friday before Easter.

Hot cross buns, baked on Good Friday, were believed by many English people to never grow moldy and were therefore kept as good luck charms. They accompanied sailors on voyages and were buried in piles of grain to prevent rodents. Today, these buns mainly serve as a representation of the Christian symbol of the cross.

Egg Tapping Game

The Easter tradition of egg tapping, also known as egg fighting, egg knocking, egg pacqueing, egg boxing, egg picking or egg jarping, involves two people tapping the pointed ends of eggs together until one cracks, with the winner being the person who cracks the most eggs. This game originated in Medieval Poland and is still played in many parts of the world today. In Louisiana, the town of Marksville holds an annual official egg-tapping competition with stringent rules and regulations, and winners must demonstrate that their eggs are real by cracking and eating them at the end of the event.

Whether you choose to commemorate the holiday with traditions that are centuries-old or create your own new traditions, there are many ways to make this Easter Sunday a memorable one.