Does the word “Easter” conjure up images of chocolate bunnies and Easter eggs? Or does it bring to mind the resurrection of Jesus Christ, or the end of Lent? Do you think of flying kites, exploding carts or mystery novels? What about witches and bonfires?
Believe it or not, these are all ways the versatile holiday is celebrated. While Easter is traditionally a religious holiday, a day of celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, many non-Christian countries have adopted some of its customs, even adding traditions of their own. And many of the countries that do consider it a national religious holiday still manage to incorporate secular practices. Around the world, whether Easter is considered a religious holiday or purely secular, the Sunday after the full moon following the spring equinox is a day of diverse celebrations.
For the U.S., the concept of Easter didn’t gain much traction with the early Puritan settlers. It wasn’t until after the Civil War that Americans, reeling from a bloody war, gained a newfound appreciation for the holiday. The origins of the day, and its universal symbols of life and rebirth, inspired hope in a war-torn nation. Now, Easter is one of the most popular holidays in the U.S., and many traditional customs, like egg decorating and Easter egg hunts, are practiced throughout the country. Along with church services, there are carnivals, parades, games, and gift giving. In the United States and many other parts of the world, Easter has become a blend of both religious and secular activities.
In parts of Northwestern Europe, large bonfires, called Judas fires or Easter fires, are sparked on hilltops and churchyards the night before Easter. This tradition was around long before the arrival of the Christian holiday, and was intended to celebrate the arrival of spring. These days, the bonfires overlap with other Easter celebrations. The fires, which are typically accompanied with snacks and gin, are a fun way to bring people together and celebrate the holiday.
In Germany, the bonfires are just one of the distinctive customs practiced on Easter. The country has preserved the holiday’s pagan roots, referring to it as Ostern, in reference to the Anglo Saxon goddess of spring. In the weeks leading up to the day, Easter markets, called Ostermarkts, sell candies, chocolates, and ornaments. The ornaments are used to decorate the Osterbaum, an Easter tree constructed of pussywillows and other shrubs. Pussywillows also make an appearance in the Russian version of the holiday, in a unique ritual of picking the plant and allowing a loved one to pierce its branches. Many households also prepare delicacies like paska and Kulich in celebration of the holiday.
One of the most exciting events of Easter can be found in Florence, Italy. The city boasts a 300-year-old tradition, called the “Scoppio del Carro,” which involves igniting and exploding a cart decorated with flowers and fireworks. The custom can be traced back to the history of a local nobleman named Pazzino. After returning from the First Crusade in the Holy Land, Pazzino presented the Archbishop with three flints from the Holy Sepulchre. When ignited, the flints exploded the cart they were in, producing a “Holy Fire” and symbolizing good luck until the next year. In another example of tradition rooted in local history, people in Bermuda spend Easter Sunday flying home-made kites, in homage to a Sunday school teacher that constructed and flew a kite shaped like a cross to illustrate Christ’s ascension to heaven.
Another European country with a distinctive tradition, the country of Norway celebrates Easter with Paaskekrim, or Easter-Crime. Practiced by most Norwegians, Paaskekrim is a time of reading mystery books and watching televised crime series. Norway also boasts a distinctive set of Easter decorations. Along with the traditional Easter eggs, many homes and businesses display drawings and creations of chickens, a symbol of fertility and rebirth. The color yellow, which is most commonly used when making the Easter eggs and chickens, is considered the official color of Norwegian Easter.
Norway’s neighbor, Sweden, hosts another deviation from the standard celebrations associated with Easter. In the days leading up to Easter Sunday, children dress up as witches and go door to door, trading drawings and other artwork for candies and sweets. The tradition comes from the old superstition that witches would roam the land the week before Easter, practicing black magic and meeting with the devil. Easter day is marked with processions of people holding willow branches, and the night boasts attractions of fireworks and bonfires throughout the country.
As we’ve seen, there is no shortage of ways Easter can be celebrated. Some countries incorporate their own history into the holiday, while others create entirely new traditions. Countries like Germany include traditions with ties to its pagan roots, while others place more emphasis on its Christian origins. Easter is one of the most popular holidays in the world, and despite variations in individual counties, the universal themes remain largely the same. It’s been interpreted as signifying fertility, rebirth, and resurrection, but at its core, Easter is a celebration of life. So whether you plan on going to church or participating in a local Easter egg hunt, take a moment on Easter day to appreciate all the wonders of spring . And don’t forget to decorate those Easter eggs!

Jasmine Weis is a senior at Benicia High School.

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