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History of the Holidays: Easter | History

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One of the main symbols of Easter are the Easter eggs! They symbolize both the tomb of Jesus and his resurrection.

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In the past, during the whole Holy Week, no agricultural work was done, no cattle were harnessed, no horse was ridden, especially on Good Friday - then the fast is the strictest. The ancients believed that if work was done then there would be thunder and hail.
Holy Week is the last week of the life of Jesus Christ and the last week of Lent.  Every day of it is called Great - Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, etc.  This week ends with Easter.
According to folk tradition, Easter marks the resurrection of nature for new life, the victory of spring over winter.  Paganism and Christianity are closely intertwined in both customs and rites.

https://youtu.be/BfbAEI-x4GU

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An extremely important Easter symbol is the lamb. It represents Jesus, who is represented in the Christian tradition as a lamb of God, in addition, it is associated with his death, as it was sacrificed on the day of Resurrection. This day was once a feast of the shepherds who slaughtered a young lamb. Hence the concept of "Easter lamb". https://youtu.be/aCCI8N_KdcE

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The egg, an ancient symbol of new life, has been associated with pagan festivals celebrating spring. From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during the Lenten season, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.

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Here's everything you should know about the origin of Easter eggs, the likely pagan tradition that turned into one of the most recognizable symbols of Easter.

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Easter is one of the principal holidays, or feasts, of Christianity. It marks the Resurrection of Jesus three days after his death. It is celebrated all around the world. Here are some traditions from other countries:
Make a Fire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SDH2T-jHz1M
In areas of Northwestern Europe, natives light large bonfires called Easter Fires on Easter Sunday and Monday. They began as a way to chase the winter away — but now they bring communities together.
Put on a Costume
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2X6UyfOuLWY
In Sweden, children dress up as Easter witches and wear old clothes. Similar to our Halloween, the kids walk around their neighborhoods but they trade their artwork for candy.
Make an Omelet
Residents of Haux, France, serve an enormous omelet on Easter Monday. They use more than 4,500 eggs and feed up to 1,000 people.
Make a Bonnet
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXava7b2-AA
Easter bonnet parades take place in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Kids can decorate their own bonnets with bunny ears, chickens, eggs, chocolate, or flowers!

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The Easter egg symbolizes fertility, luck, health and happiness, it is a symbol of the beginning of something new and beautiful. The Easter tradition dictates that the first painted egg be red, placed in front of the icon of the Mother of God and kept until the next Easter. While it is warm, it is used as a sign of the cross on the foreheads of the children in the family.

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To prep, fill plastic Easter eggs with confetti, or, if you're willing to play outside, water. Have players pair up and toss the eggs back and forth. If a duo drops their egg, they're out. The last pair standing wins.

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Easter egg hunts

First of all, an easter egg is a hollow, egg-shaped chocolate treat. Children (and adults!) all over the country look forward to their baskets of Easter eggs, which they receive on Easter Sunday.
Children are told that the eggs are delivered by the Easter Bunny.
Yes, that’s right – a rabbit.
The story of the Easter Bunny comes, originally, from German folk stories. The rabbit lays the eggs and delivers them to the children if they have been good over the Easter period.
Easter Egg hunts often take place on Easter morning, if the weather is good. Adults hide small Easter eggs in the garden, house, or village and the children must follow clues in order to find them. Usually, there are enough Easter eggs for all the children to enjoy.
Maypole Dancing

Maypole dancing is another Easter time tradition in Britain – and in other parts of the world too. Dancers hold on to colourful ribbons which are attached the the top of a large pole and dance in patterns, often to live music played by the village band.

The tradition certainly comes from our pre-Christian heritage but has been a big part of the celebrations at Easter times for centuries.
https://youtu.be/9Bgp9nbm7jM

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Because rabbits are so fertile and baby bunnies abound during the spring, they have long been viewed to symbolise fertility. That's how bunny rabbits became so strongly associated with Easter. The legend of the Easter bunny started with the idea that a rabbit would carry baskets full of eggs to share. That tale has evolved into the modern Easter bunny and associated treats.
https://youtu.be/lHb0lQufyyE

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Mentioned many times in the Bible, the white lily symbolizes purity, new beginnings and hope and is most often associated with the resurrection of Jesus Christ as observed on Easter. In Pagan traditions, the Easter lily is associated with motherhood and is often gifted to mothers as a symbol of gratitude.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoPIm5drOs4

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On Good Friday, homemade kites are flown in Bermuda. Legend has it that the tradition began when a local teacher had trouble explaining the resurrection of Jesus to his Sunday school class. So he made a kite to explain this idea more easily to the students.

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The eggs are a universal symbol of fertility. That's a big part of why they are considered a symbol of Easter and where the tradition of decorating Easter eggs came from. There is also a strictly religious element of their symbolism. They represent both the tomb of Jesus and his resurrection.

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The oval-shape egg has been a universal symbol in many religions across the millennia, symbolizing new life, rebirth, and fertility.
According to The Easter Book,the origin of the Easter egg is based on the fertility lore of the Indo-European races. To our pre-Christian ancestors, it was a most startling event to see a new and live creature emerge from a seemingly dead object. The egg to them became a symbol of spring. Long ago in Persia, people used to present each other with eggs at the spring equinox, which for them also marked the beginning of a new year.In Judaism, eggs are an important part of the Passover seder plate. For some Christians, the egg symbolizes the rock tomb out of which Christ emerged to the new life of his Resurrection. Also, there was a practical reason that eggs became popular on Easter: They were forbidden during the 40 days of Lent.

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The christian symbols in traditional culture,which are conected with Esater are the paited egs and the bread-really important part of the daily of our nation.
The ritual  bread wears magic of fertility during the Ester holyday.
According to orthodox tradition of Holy  Thirsday of the Maundy week the eggs should be painted in Thursday or Saturday before the Resurrection.
The bread for Easter should be kneaded with new leaven.On Holy Thirsday the leaven of the Easter bread should be changed.That is an irreplaceable part of the holyday table.
Basically on Easter we talk about painted eggs ,but the bread is really important part of the holyday too.
Wish you happy Ester!

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An egg hunt is an Eastertide game during which decorated eggs or Easter eggs are hidden for children to find. Real hard-boiled eggs, which are typically dyed or painted, artificial eggs made of plastic filled with chocolate or candies. The game is often played outdoors, but can also be played indoors. The children typically collect the eggs in a basket. And the winners can eat their sweet prize - they eat what they found out.

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Easter Eggs - The oval-shape egg has been a universal symbol in many religions across the millennia, symbolizing new life, rebirth, and fertility.
Hot cross buns - In many parts of the world, hot cross buns are a traditional food for Good Friday, which is the day Jesus was crucified on a cross. This day falls on the Friday immediately before Easter Sunday. Each bun features a cross on top, which symbolizes the cross on which Jesus died. The spices included in the buns are said to be representative of the ones that were used to prepare Jesus' body for the tomb.
Bunny rabbit - The legend of the Easter bunny started with the idea that a rabbit would carry baskets full of eggs to share. That tale has evolved into the modern Easter bunny and associated treats.

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What's Easter without any games? Let's add some fun to the usual traditions to diversify the holiday. :)

¹. ''Egg Hop Relay Race'' -  Start by dividing everyone into pairs. Each pair of players receives two large egg cutouts made from cardboard or heavy cardstock. The first teammate stands on one egg and the second places the other egg cutout on the ground in front of the first. The first teammate "hops" to the second egg. Repeat this process, moving toward the finish line until you cross. First team to finish wins!

2. "The Fox and the Eggs" - One player is the fox and the others are Easter eggs. Before the game begins, each egg decides what colour they are going to be and keeps that color choice a secret from the fox. The eggs then face the fox, who guesses colours one at a time. If the fox guesses a player's colour, that player must run a set route before rejoining the other eggs in the home base "basket". The catch? The fox chases the egg, similar to "Duck, Duck, Goose"! If the egg makes it back to the basket, he or she chooses a new color and play continues. If the fox tags the egg before they return to the basket, that player becomes the new fox.

3. "Easter Egg Lawn Bowling" - Start with a dozen hardboiled eggs. Leave one white, and dye each of the others a different color. Gently toss the white egg onto the lawn. Each player takes turns rolling their colored eggs toward the white one, trying to see who can get closest without touching it. For more of a challenge, play with raw eggs and eliminate each player who breaks their egg trying to get close to the white egg!

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An egg hunt is an Eastertide game during which decorated eggs or Easter eggs are hidden for children to find. Real hard-boiled eggs, which are typically dyed or painted, artificial eggs made of plastic filled with chocolate or candies, or foil-wrapped egg-shaped chocolates of various sizes are hidden in various places. The game is often played outdoors, but can also be played indoors. The children typically collect the eggs in a basket. When the hunt is over, prizes may be given out for various achievements, such as the largest number of eggs collected, for the largest or smallest egg, for the most eggs of a specific color, consolation prizes or booby prizes.

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Texas sized Easter egg hunt with over 50,000 eggs | FOX 7 Austin

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Easter time is crime time in Norway. Television channels run crime shows and a slew of new detective novels are commissioned to come out just before Easter. People across the country escape into their mountain cabins and spend the weekend with the ‘whodunnit’ television shows or books. Even the milk cartons carry short detective stories on their side during the season.

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In Bermuda, people fly homemade kites on Good Friday. Legend has it, the tradition started when a local teacher had trouble explaining Jesus’s ressurection to his Sunday school class. So, he made a kite to explain the concept.
https://youtu.be/dvtl1nWGZ-8

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Fly a Kite
In Bermuda, people fly homemade kites on Good Friday. Legend has it, the tradition started when a local teacher had trouble explaining Jesus’s resurrections to his Sunday school class. So, he made a kite to explain the concept.

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An Easter basket, also known as a Paschal basket, is traditionally, a basket containing the foods traditionally forbidden to consume during Lent (meat, eggs, and dairy products), that is blessed by a priest for breaking the Lenten fast. This continues to be normative in Eastern Christianity and Easter baskets are typically blessed before the midnight service on Holy Saturday, with their contents being consumed at the feast after the service.

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The rabbit is one of the most famous animals that represents the Easter spirit. They have become its symbol because of the fact that the bunny rabbits are fertile during the spring. That's how they symbolize the fertility. The legned tells that people believed that the little animals would carry baskets with eggs to share. Today exists the tale of the Easter bunny and many chocolate desserts are dedicated to this iconic character.

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0:00 / 2:35•Watch full video

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The Christians already know the Bible doesn’t mention of a mythical hare who delivers eggs to children on the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit comes from the ancient pagan tradition on which many of our Easter traditions are based — the festival of Eostre, which honored the goddess of fertility and spring. The goddess's animal symbol was a rabbit, which was a symbol for fertility due to their high reproductive rates.
The character of the Easter was first introduced in the 1700s by German immigrants to Pennsylvania, who  brought over their tradition of an egg-laying hare named "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws". Acording to a legend the rabbit would lay colorful eggs as gifts to children who were good, so they would make nests in which he could leave his eggs and even sometimes set out carrots in case the hare got hungry. Over time, the bunny's delivery expanded from just eggs to other treats like chocolate and toys.
Since rabbits are mammals, it might seem like a case of mistaken biology to say the Easter Bunny lays eggs on the holiday. Eggs, just like the rabbit, have long been considered as an ancient symbol of fertility, rebirth and new life, all associated with the springtime celebration of Easter.
Today, the Easter Bunny is known as a rabbit with long ears, often wearing colorful human clothes. We can find one at Easter parades and other celebratory events for the holiday, often carrying a basket filled with colorful eggs, chocolate, candy and other treats for the kids.

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Easter History: Origins of the Easter Bunny?

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Easter History: Origins of the Easter Bunny?

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The Easter lily takes its roots back to the Ryukyu Islands in southern Japan. It was first introduced to England in 1819 and America in 1880. The trumpet shape of the Easter lily represents a trumpet sounding the message that Jesus has risen, and the nature in which lilies grow is symbolic of the resurrection as well. In Pagan traditions, the Easter lily is associated with motherhood and is often gifted to mothers as a symbol of gratitude.
https://www.countryliving.com/life/inspirational-stories/a38804757/easter-lily-meaning/

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An egg hunt is an Eastertide game during which decorated eggs or easter eggs are hidden for children to find. Real hard-boiled eggs, which are typically dyed or painted, artificial eggs made of plastic filled with chocolate or candies, or foil-wrapped egg-shaped chocolates of various sizes are hidden in various places. The game is often played outdoors, but can also be played indoors. The children typically collect the eggs in a basket. When the hunt is over, prizes may be given out for various achievements, such as the largest number of eggs collected, for the largest or smallest egg, for the most eggs of a specific color.

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Texas sized Easter egg hunt with over 50,000 eggs

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Different Easter traditions around the world 

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Different Easter traditions around the world 

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Easter is one of the most important holidays for the christians and there are many different ways of celebrating it. For example residents of Haux, France serve an enormous omelet made from 4,500 eggs and feed up to 1 000 people. In Sweden the children put on costumes,  in Bermuda, people fly homemade kites on Good Friday. Of course there are so many others intrestings traditions.

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In Bermuda peoples fly homemake kites on Good Friday. Legend has it, the tradition started when a local teacher had trouble explaining Jesus's resurrection to his Sunday school class. So, hе maаe a kite to explain the concept.

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Easter baskets have become a indicator of status and means as much as they are a part of the Easter tradition. They demonstrate personal wealth in that being able to provide a basket, and fill it with non-traditional Easter items, implies that you are doing well financially.In parts Western Christianity, emphasis is placed on making a lenten sacrifice (giving up pleasures such as chocolate and cookies) rather than the traditional abstinence from meat, lacticinia and wine (though a few congregations have revived this practice) as such, in countries of the Western world such as the United States, Easter baskets are filled with Easter eggs and sweets after having abstained from them during Lent.

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The practice of creating special breads to celebrate holidays, harvests, religious rites, and other occasions worldwide dates back thousands of years. If you look at the key ingredients of these holiday breads, you’ll see certain themes popping up, whether they originate in Russia, England, France, Greece, or Italy: many are enriched breads, made with considerable fat and sugar. They’re typically made with fine white wheat flour—throughout most of history, white flour was both more expensive and prized—and they often feature dried fruits, such as raisins or candied citrus. They also often contain warm spices like cinnamon or cardamom. Some have a touch of liqueur added to them. Some are baked with little surprises inside.
Many holiday breads are meant to celebrate the end of a fast, to symbolize an offering, or to invite good luck for the year ahead. In other contexts, breads aren’t symbolic as much as traditional, baked as a reminder of family and togetherness and celebration.

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0:00 / 9:50•Watch full video

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Kozunak (Козунак) Bulgarian Easter Bread

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Easter traditions in Spain - Semana Santa 

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Easter traditions in Spain - Semana Santa 

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The Easter period in Spain is known as Semana Santa, or Holy Week, and events in many cities around the country really do last a whole week. Here it’s not just about Easter Sunday – there are many other traditions leading up to the day, which are perhaps even more important. Many Spanish also take this week as holiday, either to go back home and visit family or visit someplace new. You’ll also find that many smaller, family businesses are closed during this week.

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No list of Easter games would be complete without this picnic classic. Each player places a hard-boiled egg on a spoon and holds it in their mouth. On the count of three, each player races to the finish line, trying to keep the egg balanced. The first person to make it to the finish line with their egg still intact wins. This is a great way to utilize all those eggs you dyed! 🎨

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If you've always celebrated Easter the same way, it can be difficult to imagine that the holiday's traditions are different anywhere else. And while the more Western traditions like decorating Easter eggs and tracking the Easter bunny certainly make for a lot of fun, those traditions are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to different ways to celebrate Easter worldwide. There are many unique Easter traditions around the world, from religious rituals to fun and quirky annual activities steeped in history.

Though the holiday has become quite commercialized over time, the reason for the season is, indeed, the Christian religion and the resurrection of Jesus. While not all people who celebrate Easter are religious, it's easy to understand how Holy Week often plays more of a role in how other countries celebrate Easter, Palm Sunday, Ash Wednesday, and the season of Easter as a whole.

Knowing how people in other places reflect on Easter is not only fascinating to learn about; it's also a good way to feel connected to other cultures and communities different from your own. You may not do the same things during the spring season when it comes to church, decorations, or food, but if you celebrate Easter, too, then that's something you have in common. From eating chocolate Easter bilbies in Australia, to dressing up like witches in Finland, here are 13 interesting and meaningful Easter traditions from around the world.

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You Probably Haven't Heard of These Easter Traditions from Around the World

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If you've always celebrated Easter the same way, it can be difficult to imagine that the holiday's traditions are different anywhere else. And while the more Western traditions like decorating Easter eggs and tracking the Easter bunny certainly make for a lot of fun, those traditions are only the tip of the iceberg when it comes to different ways to celebrate Easter worldwide.

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Prepare to meet your match with this game, which tests young players' sensory skills. Start by gathering an even number of plastic eggs. Divide eggs into pairs and fill each pair with different small objects. For example, fill one pair with jelly beans or candy and another with coins. Put all the eggs together, and then let each child shake the eggs and attempt to place the two matching eggs together. Whoever has the most correct matches wins a prize!

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According to an old legend, a goddess turned a large and beautiful bird into a rabbit. No one knows why she did it, but it is believed that precisely because the Easter bunny was a bird, she continues to build nests and fill them with eggs. According to legend, the Easter Bunny carries a basket full of colored eggs, candy and children's toys the night before Easter. He leaves the basket of eggs and sweets in a hidden place in the house for the children to find on the holiday morning. The very search by the children is a kind of ritual.
The ancients considered the rabbit a symbol of fertility. The animal embodied the new life that is born in the spring. The first texts mentioning the Easter Bunny are from 1620. The Easter symbolism of the rabbit begins with the Western celebration of the Christian religion. The first Easter bunny cake was made in the early 19th century in Germany. Later, it was brought to America by Germans, and so the arrival of the Easter Bunny became a great holiday for children from all over Christendom. They prepare special nests, usually from hats, and place them in sheltered places in their home. If they were obedient, the Easter Bunny leaves them colorful eggs. That was the tradition.
Today, the nests are bought in the store and the parents put them in secret places. There is a chocolate rabbit in the baskets, which is always very beautiful and tasty.

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The Easter Bunny is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit—sometimes dressed with clothes—bringing Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the "Easter Hare" originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide, similar to the "naughty or nice" list made by Santa Claus. As part of the legend, the creature carries colored eggs in its basket, as well as candy, and sometimes toys, to the homes of children. As such, the Easter Bunny again shows similarities to Santa and Christmas by bringing gifts to children on the night before a holiday.

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The Easter Bunny (also called the Easter Rabbit or Easter Hare) is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs. Originating among German Lutherans, the "Easter Hare" originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide.

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In Italy, there are many traditional Easter sweets, including cakes, chocolates, and cookies. A cousin to the Christmas panettone, colomba is a fluffy dove-shaped bread studded with candied orange peel and topped with pearl sugar and almonds. Although it originated in Milano, the sweet cake is enjoyed throughout many regions in Italy.

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1.Easter is actually named after a goddess- Eostre.
2.Chocolate eggs were inspired by a medievql tradition.
3. Eggs were used in quite different games during medieval times.
4. In 1873, Bristol manufactured the first chocolate egg in the United Kingdom.
5. It is prohibited to dance on Good Friday in Germany.
6. Italy produced the world’s largest chocolate egg in 2011.
7. Florida Hosted the World’s Largest Easter Egg Hunt in 2007.

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Since they've already got their detective hat on, keep the search going by scattering a bunch of clues around your house to lead your little bunnies to a special prize.

https://www.twinkl.co.uk/resource/t-t-16990-easter-hunt-activity-pack

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22 Easter Games For the Whole Family - Fun Easter Games

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To elevate your Easter Sunday, here are the best ice breakers, puzzles, and other Easter games to make any Easter party even more memorable.

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The game is often played outdoors, but can also be played indoors. The children typically collect the eggs in a basket. When the hunt is over, prizes may be given out for various achievements, such as the largest number of eggs collected, for the largest or smallest egg, for the most eggs of a specific color, consolation prizes or booby prizes.
Real eggs may further be used in egg tapping contests. If eggs filled with confetti left from Mardi Gras (cascarones) are used, then an egg fight may follow.

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An egg hunt is an Eastertide game during which decorated eggs or Easter eggs are hidden for children to find.The game is often played outdoors, but can also be played indoors. The children typically collect the eggs in a basket. When the hunt is over, prizes may be given out for various achievements, such as the largest number of eggs collected, for the largest or smallest egg, for the most eggs of a specific color.

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0:00 / 1:00•Watch full video

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White Easter Lilies symbolize the purity of Christ to Christians and are common decorations in churches and homes around the Easter holiday. Their growth from dormant bulbs in the ground to flowers symbolize the rebirth and hope of Christ’s resurrection. Lilies are native to Japan and were brought to England in 1777, but wound their way to the U.S. in the wake of World War I. They went on to become the unofficial flower of Easter celebrations across the United States.
https://youtu.be/GVYJOn59Vks

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Easter Sunday is one of the most festive events among Christians worldwide. It commemorates Jesus Christ’s resurrection from death, as written in the Christian bible.
And this video is a short and animated story about the origin.

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Red symbolizes the blood of Jesus Christ, and it is most used during Pentecost, which falls on the 50th day after Easter and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit. Red represents sacrifice, blood, fire, and martyrdom.
Such a vibrant color may seem like a harsh contrast against soft spring pastels, but you can incorporate the bold hue by dyeing Easter eggs red or hanging a red tulip wreath on your front door.

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Easter traditions in Italy briefly :): In Italy, no dyed Easter eggs, make and give to big chocolate egg with a surprise inside and have their Easter cake Colomba (Dove).  Coloring eggs occurs very rarely in some individual areas.  For example, in old cookbooks from the area of Piacenza has pictures of struggling with painted eggs.  In Trieste (historically associated with the influence of the Austro Hungarian Empire and its traditions) still make little crowns or nails painted eggs.  Crowns symbolize the crown of thorns, the nails - nails with which Christ was nailed to the cross, the red eggs - his blood.

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The naming of the celebration as “Easter” seems to go back to the name of a pre-Christian goddess in England, Eostre, who was celebrated at beginning of spring. The only reference to this goddess comes from the writings of the Venerable Bede, a British monk who lived in the late seventh and early eighth century.

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Get ready for a little friendly competition with this fun take on "Capture the Flag". Divide all your players into two teams. For this game you'll need eight eggs, four each in two different colors. Have each team choose a color and then line up their eggs on their end of the field. Each team must try to capture the other team's eggs and bring them to their side of the field without being tagged by a member of the opposing team. If a player is tagged by an opponent, they are out. To win, a team must successfully capture all the other team's eggs, or must have the last man standing.

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The Easter Lily is symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Churches of all denominations, large and small, are filled with floral arrangements of these white flowers with their trumpet-like shape on Easter morning. The flower is frequently represented in stained glass windows either in memory of someone or to signify hope, purity and life everlasting. The importance of the Easter lily is a time-honored tradition that includes both ancient mythological and Biblical history.

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Every year Easter brings everyone together. It's the most important holiday for the Christianity and all of the Christians from all over the world celebrate it. It reunites them in a mutual feelings of love, warmth and happiness. But why is it that important???
Here's a short video of Easter's significance.

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The History of Easter |  Facts about Easter | Significance of Easter | Why do we celebrate Easter ?

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In Greece, Easter activities start a week before Easter and, in the lead up to Good Friday, church services are held each night. More and more people attend throughout the week, with the largest turnout for the Anastasi mass on Holy Saturday, which marks the night of Christ's resurrection. The mass is timed to finish at midnight and there is a definite feeling of anticipation. Just before midnight, all the lights are turned off and the priest holds up the light of the eternal flame and lights the candles the congregation are holding. In some parts of Greece, people take their candles home and draw a cross over their doors with the soot, in a prayer for good luck and blessings.

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Rick Steves’ European Easter: Greek Orthodox Celebrations

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Antigua in southern Guatemala covers its streets in colorful carpets throughout Holy Week in preparation for its Good Friday procession, according to Condé Nast Traveler. The long carpets are made from flowers, colored sawdust, fruits, vegetables, and sand. They're often covered in scenes that are important to the artists who make them, ranging from religion to Mayan traditions to nature and Guatemalan history. With some as long as half a mile, artists use stencils to assemble the carpets quickly. They have just 24 hours to create their works of art the day before the Good Friday procession.

Here is a link to an informational video that I found on youtube https://youtu.be/Wn2xiEZzqQg

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On Eastet French people wish each other “Joyeuses Pâques”.Easter traditions in France include chocolate, bells, eggs, rabbits, chicken and lamb!

French people traditionally eat lamb at Easter, the most traditional dish is a leg of lamb cooked in the oven with provençal herbs, cumin, garlic and olive oil.  The lamb is usually served with potatoes cooked in the oven, green beans or flageolet beans.  French people nowadays still often eat lamb at Easter but often a variety of cuts and dishes.  Since asparagus comes into season around Easter, this is a common starter or side dish.  And of course, the lamb is accompanied by a good bottle of red wine.  Certain areas of France also have their own special traditions, for example in Alsace they eat “Lamalas de Pâques”, a cake cooked in the shape of a lamb covered in icing sugar.
Children take place in an Easter egg hunt (Chasse aux Oeufs) organized by parents or sometimes clubs or local communes.  Chocolate and/or decorated eggs are hidden in the garden or park, then children go and hunt for the hidden eggs.  The Easter bunny isn’t historically a French tradition, but this is becoming a tradition especially in the north of the country, but chocolate shaped like eggs and bells is more common.

Every year on Easter Monday, the townspeople of the Southern French town of Haux crack more than 4500 eggs to make a giant omelette that feeds more than 1000 people. The origin of this tradition dates back to when Napoleon and his army were travelling through the South of France. They stopped there and ate omelettes.

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In Serbia, Easter means lots of traditions: spending time with your loved ones, fasting, colouring eggs and praying. For some, it starts 40 days before the holiday with a fast that lasts until Easter itself. During that period, observant members of the Orthodox church don’t eat animal products. The period is intended to purify Christians’ bodies and minds. That is how they prepare themselves for the communion that takes place on the morning of Easter Sunday.

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Easter Egg Rolling Race

Let the good times roll with this fun relay race. Start with a dozen (or more) hardboiled eggs, one for each racer. Mark off a straight race track with multiple lanes. Each player begins by placing his or her egg at the starting line in his or her lane. Just like the popular White House tradition, each player then uses a wooden spoon to roll the egg down the lane and across the finish line. The first one to cross the finish line wins!

https://whitehouse.gov1.info/easter-egg-roll/

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Italian Easter Bread when it is baked in the shape of a wreath it is to symbolize the crown of thorns worn by Jesus Christ. When the dough is braided with three pieces it represents the Holy Trinity.
Here is a short video: https://anitalianinmykitchen.com/easter-bread/

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The Easter bunny is a much-celebrated character in American Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter bunny might have left behind.

Easter is a celebration of spring and new life. Eggs and flowers are rather obvious symbols of female fertility, but in European traditions, the bunny, with its amazing reproductive potential, is not far behind.

In European traditions, the Easter bunny is known as the Easter hare. The symbolism of the hare has had many tantalizing ritual and religious roles down through the years.

Over a thousand years later, during the Iron Age, ritual burials for hares were common. In the UK children believe that if they are good the "Easter Bunny " will leave (chocolate) eggs for them. Sadly hare hunting (hare coursing) used to be a common pastime at Easter. But this might please some of the more fundamentalist Christians, who consider the fluffy fellow to be unchristian.

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Easter in Belgium, like most Belgian celebrations, is time for family. It includes a lengthy feast on Easter Sunday of lamb, ham, asparagus, potatoes, pancakes, and sweet breads. Many families also attend Mass on Easter Sunday, marking the resurrection of Christ.
https://youtu.be/atIlNxKAKJ8

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The Easter story starts on the day we now know as Good Friday, and this was the day when Jesus, the Son of God, was crucified by roman cavalry under the orders of emperor Pontius Pilate. According to the Bible, he was flogged, ordered to carry the cross on which he would be crucified and then put to death.

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'My Traditions' - Ukrainian Egg Decorating and Easter story

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Easter Sunday is a time when the Christians of the world celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Chrisst. Before becoming a Christian holiday, Easter is undoubtedly a pagan festival.

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The True Pagan Origins of Easter | Ancient Architects

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Many Americans go to church on Easter Sunday. Communities hold special Easter services with special traditions such as recitation of Easter poems by children. Usually, families gather early in the morning, dressed in festive springtime attire, and then make their way to church together.

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Locally known as Semana Santa (Holy Week), Easter is the most important celebration in Spain and stands out for its epic brotherhoods’ processions and unique, age-old traditions specific to each region.
The atmosphere that characterizes the festivities is usually solemn, the picture spectacular, and everything seems fully immersed in emotion. Don’t let yourself be fooled, though – this is still Spain, which means neither the solid religious beliefs nor the somberness of the moment can hide the nation’s fervor for pomp and lively fiestas.

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Rick Steves’ European Easter: Palm Sunday in Sevilla

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People all around the world celebrate Easter in many different ways. They have different traditions and activities they do on this holiday.
It's usually celebrated with the family around, so that means that they are kids around which means that the family organises games.
Here are some of the different games and activities people do on Easter around the world.
The people in Bermuda aim high for Easter: kite flying is everyone’s favorite pastime during the holidays. Bermudians make their own kites with wooden sticks, colorful paper, and intricate designs. All of this is topped off with a special tissue called “hummers” that then makes a buzzing sound, aka the sound of Bermudian Easter. Everyone gathers and lets their beautiful constructions fly – or goes to Horseshoe Bay Beach to attend the annual Kite Festival on Good Friday.
Who doesn’t like to search the house and yard for baskets filled with chocolate? In Germany, Switzerland, and many other countries for that matter, Easter nests are hidden for kids (and some grown-ups because why not!). The nests are actually decorated baskets or boxes that are filled with chocolate bunnies, chocolate eggs, candy, and toys and are said to be hidden by the Easter bunny himself.
Watch out for flying pottery on the Greek island of Corfu. On Easter Saturday at 11 a.m. sharp, the residents of Corfu throw clay pots (of all sizes) from their balconies. The tradition dates back to the 16th century, when people threw all of their useless and old belongings out of the window to get ready for the New Year – the breaking pots scare away evil spirits and mark a new beginning.

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So, let's cover what Easter is. It is a day that Christians
remember that our Messiah Yahshua (Jesus) rose from
the dead and conquered death, now giving us
redemption through Him. But there is a tremendous
amount of history that says that Easter is completely
pagan. More information about that you can find in the video.

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HISTORY OF EASTER: IS IT A PAGAN HOLIDAY?

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Bulgaria has a tradition of making coloured eggs at Easter. The special day is called Velik Den or translated from Bulgarian to English is 'Great Day'.

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All you need for this game is two big Easter baskets and a pile of carrots. Divide your group into two teams and have them toss the carrots into the baskets. Whichever team gets the most carrots in their basket wins.

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Many of the german people attend a special church service on Easter Sunday, some communities hold a festive breakfast or lunch after the service has finished. It’s common to give and receive Easter eggs. Children are often told that the Easter Bunny brings and hides them.  Many families, communities and businesses organize Easter egg hunts, occurring on Sunday or Monday. Easter eggs are made of chocolate or candy. Boiled eggs are painted or dyed with food coloring and decorative eggs are made of plastic, fabric or wood. People in some areas of Germany, particularly in northern parts, light fires late in the evening of Holy Saturday. Some of them stay up all night. They keep the Easter fires burning until the next morning.

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Celebrating Easter in Germany is much more than a trip to church, an Easter Egg hunt, brunch and a nice hat. Easter is a major holiday in Germany and the events go beyond home and church. Preparations start well before Easter Sunday! and don’t end there. And many Easter Traditions that we follow here in the US and elsewhere stem from German customs.

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This represents the biblical story of townspeople honoring Jesus as he rode into Jerusalem on a donkey by tossing small branches (likely including palms) and other items ahead of his path. Palms are said to symbolize victory and peace.

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Easter baskets were brought to America in the 18th century by German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. They brought the idea of the egg-delivering hare called “Osterhase” with them, along with the idea that children should prepare nests for the bunny to leave brightly colored eggs on Easter.

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According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs. Eventually, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts, while decorated baskets replaced nests. Additionally, children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping.Bunnies aren’t the animal traditionally associated with Easter in every country. Some identify the holiday with other types of animals like foxes or cuckoo birds.

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On Good Friday, Jesus Christ was executed by crucifixion. His body was taken down from the cross, and buried in a cave.
The tomb was guarded and an enormous stone was put over the entrance, so that no-one could steal the body.
On the following Sunday, some women visited the grave and found that the stone had been moved, and that the tomb was empty.
Jesus himself was seen that day, and for days afterwards by many people. His followers realised that God had raised Jesus from the dead.

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Traditional Easter Russian Cake - The Kulich 

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Traditional Easter Russian Cake - The Kulich 

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Famous in Russia, it is impossible to imagine the Easter meal without it! Symbolising health and prosperity, it has been a must-have dish for centuries. Filled with marzipan or raisins and sugar icing on top makes it very sweet and delicious!

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Easter is the most important Christian festival. It celebrates Jesus Christ's resurrection from the dead, three days after he was executed by crucifixion.

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Saddleback Kids: The Story of Easter (Jesus' Sacrifice)