The Easter bunny, the Easter egg hunt and the Easter lamb are perhaps the most famous traditions in Germany. But where did these customs come from and how are they followed today?
Dyed and painted eggs have been an integral part of Easter for centuries. In Christianity, the egg is considered a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The opening of the shell is compared to the opening of an empty tomb on Easter morning. Today, the search for brightly decorated eggs is especially popular with children, without whom it is difficult to imagine a holiday.
The exact meaning of the laying rabbit is not known. For the early Christians of Byzantium, the hare was a symbol of Jesus. According to other interpretations, the hare personified the resurrection. In the second half of the 17th century, a custom developed that the Easter Bunny lays eggs and hides them in gardens, where children collect them on Easter Sunday.
The Passover lamb, a symbol of the sacrificial death of Jesus, originated from the Jewish ritual of slaughtering a lamb at Passover in memory of God. John the Baptist, pointing to Jesus, said, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Today, lamb meat is considered a traditional Passover food.
Fire, soot and water
From the church’s point of view, fire symbolizes the joy of the resurrection of Jesus, “the light of the world”. Even in pagan times, the flame was believed to bring renewing power. The burning tree was believed to chase away winter and protect the seeds from evil spirits. In some places, a witch’s doll was burned with firewood. On the consecrated Easter bonfires, they light the Easter candle as the light of Christ and carry it to the still dark church.
On Ash Wednesday, people’s faces are traditionally smeared with ashes. According to local customs, the ashes are either scattered on the head in the shape of a cross or a cross is drawn on the forehead. In the past, this was considered a salvific act, since a special power was attributed to the ashes. Farmers ensured that the ashes of the Easter fire flew to their fields and meadows. In this case, grass and grain will be especially abundant.
On Easter morning, people can be seen drawing water from a pond or wetting their face with it. This custom dates back to pre-Christian times. It is believed that Easter water guarantees eternal youth and beauty, cures diseases and protects against misfortunes.
Regional customs and traditions
Osterreiten: In Upper Lusatia (Saxony), men festively dressed in tailcoats and hats walk through the countryside to proclaim the message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Lusatian Catholic Serbs ride horses adorned with bows and flowers in nearby parishes. Along the way, they pray and sing songs in Serbian.
Steckenpferd-Reiten: In Dingelstadt (Thuringia), on Easter Monday, first-graders ride around the church on decorated sticks and receive sweets in return.
Haseneier–Suchen: This Easter custom is said to have been established by the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749–1832) in Weimar. On Maundy Thursday, he invites the children to look for rabbit eggs in his garden. This tradition is still alive in the city today.
Eiertippen: In some areas, people gather in the village square to compete by throwing or tapping eggs at each other. Eggs broken at these feasts are immediately eaten by the participants.
Kohlenschlagen: In some places in northern Thuringia, men take the so-called “Ostergolf” walk through the fields, during which they hit wooden balls (“embers”) with a stick (“moor”).
Brezel-Essen: In Mühlhausen (Thuringia) on Green Thursday you have to eat a pretzel. According to legend, anyone who breaks this rule will grow donkey ears on Good Friday.
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