Easter has been celebrated throughout the world for centuries. Over time, as the holiday has spread, different countries have developed unique ways of celebrating. Below are some of the more noteworthy Easter celebrations and traditions from around the globe.
GreeceWhile many people color their Easter eggs pastel colors or create intricate designs, it is customary in Greece to dye them bright red. This is supposed to symbolize the blood of Jesus. These eggs are then baked into a bread called tsoureki, which is eaten at the Easter meal.
Photo by deboer, sxc.hu
EnglandWhile Greece has its tsoureki bread, England has its own Easter bread - hot cross buns. These sweet buns topped with a cross are often eaten on Good Friday. Traditionally, hot cross buns are a sign of friendship; splitting one between two people is supposed to guarantee their friendship throughout the year. Also, according to legend, hot cross buns were often taken on sea voyages, as they were thought to protect against shipwrecks.
AustraliaWhile the Easter Bunny is the symbol of the holiday for much of the world, Australia has a different animal - the Easter Bilby. A bilby is a marsupial related to the bandicoot. Rabbits have wreaked havoc on Australia's delicate ecosystem since being introduced to the country. Thus, the image of the Easter Bilby was created to draw attention to endangered species. Popularizing a native animal instead of the traditional Easter Bunny is a way of promoting conservation.
FranceChildren in France often hear the legend of the flying bells around Easter. Although church bells in France ring throughout the year, they remain silent on Good Friday, paying tribute to Jesus' death. Children are told that the bells fly out of the churches and go to the Vatican to see the pope. On Easter morning, the bells ring once again, having flown back. To commemorate the legend, chocolate shops across France sell candy versions of the flying bells.
Bermuda
Photo by scfmp, sxc.hu
Though flying kites is a fun activity for people all over the world at any time of year, it is a big part of the Easter celebration in Bermuda. The tradition supposedly started when a British teacher was explaining Jesus' ascension to heaven. He demonstrated the act by launching a kite, with its cross-shaped framework, into the air. The lesson left quite an impact, as there are now many kite festivals throughout Bermuda, and many Caribbean islands, on Easter Sunday.
GermanyGermany has many Easter traditions; one of the most interesting is that of the Easter fire. This tradition involves gathering up the old Christmas trees and burning them together in a bonfire, symbolizing the transition from winter to spring. Though the Christmas trees are finally done away with, German people replace them with an Easter tree. Colorful Easter eggs are hung from the branches of this tree.
Mexico
Photo by agujiva, sxc.hu
Easter observances in Mexico usually last for two full weeks (Semana Santa and Semana de Pascua), giving kids and adults a nice break from school and work. While many Easter celebrations are joyous occasions, Easter in Mexico takes on a more somber tone. Many towns and villages across the country stage elaborate recreations of the Passion, wherein actors recreate the Procession of the 12 Stations of the Cross and the other events of Jesus' death. Some of these processions involve flagellation and actually putting an actor on a cross.
As you can see, Easter is celebrated in many different ways all over the world. Although people honor the holiday in different ways, this just goes to show how important Easter is to those who celebrate it.