The custom of the lanterns in Tyros, Arcadia, is one of the most moving and unique traditions of Tsakonia.

The lantern tradition is a moving tribute to the Tsakonian sailors lost at sea. Every Holy Saturday, locals and students release thousands of handmade lanterns into the bay, creating a "corridor of light."
On the night of the Resurrection, the Holy Light travels across these floating lanterns, symbolizing the return of the sailors' souls to their homeland.

The tradition of hot air balloons (aerostata) in Leonidio is one of the most breathtaking Easter spectacles in Greece, transforming the Arcadian sky into a sea of floating stars on the night of the Resurrection.

South Kynouria, the Tsakonian villages, is one of the most unique Easter destinations in Greece, as its traditions combine religious devotion with the uniqueness of the Tsakonian dialect and spectacular customs

The Design and Symbolism

Kyra Sarakosti is typically depicted as a nun, but her physical features are the real story. Every detail is a lesson in the Lenten spirit:

• The Seven Legs: She is most famous for having seven legs, representing the seven weeks of the fasting period. Each Saturday, one leg is cut off or tucked away to count down the time.

• The Missing Mouth: She has no mouth because she is fasting. It signifies the abstention from meat, dairy, and, metaphorically, gossip or unkind words.

• The Crossed Hands: Her hands are usually folded in prayer, emphasizing the spiritual focus of the season.

• Missing Ears: Sometimes she is depicted without ears to show that she ignores distractions and focuses only on the divine.

In many households and schools, she is baked using a simple "salt dough" (flour, salt, and water). Because the dough is extremely salty, it doesn't spoil, but it also isn't meant to be eaten. It’s a decorative piece that sits on the kitchen counter or near the icon corner.

The "Lucky" Last Leg

The final leg, the one removed on Holy Saturday, is considered a "talisman." In some villages, it is hidden inside the Anastasis (Resurrection) bread or a bowl of fruit. Whoever finds the tiny dough leg is said to have good luck for the rest of the year.

Fun Fact: There is a traditional folk poem often recited while making her:

«Kyra Sarakosti, who has no mouth and no ears, walks with seven legs and waits for the Resurrection.».