There are several wonderful Easter traditions in Germany. Some of them are shared in the American tradition of celebrating the holiday. Many are simply fun and a nice way to welcome spring.
Bunte Eier (Painted Eggs)
Eggs have always been a symbol of springtime. Although Eastern Orthodox Christians were the first to paint eggs, the Germans were the first to start hanging them on branches. Like in American families, German families boil and color hard-boiled eggs, but the tradition of hanging them on branches is uniquely German. Some egg painting is truly artistic. Although eggs are quite expensive (in the USA) right now, plastic colored eggs are also sometimes used in Germany and might be a good alternative.
Source: AP
Easter Bunnies
The Easter bunny is one of the most visible symbols of Easter. It has its origins in the Germanic and Saxon goddess of dawn and spring, Eostre. German Easter bunnies include porcelain decoration, chocolate candies and wooden ornaments.
Source: Erzgebirge.it
Easter Lamb Cake
In Germany there are moulds that can be used to bake an Easter lamb cake. The lamb-shaped cake exists in Germany, Poland, the Czech Republic, France and Italy. The cake it thought to symbolize Jesus Christ as the sacrificial lamb of God.
Source: The Farm Wife Cooks
Easter Riding
On Easter Sunday there is a tradition in some parts of Germany to ride horses in a procession wearing uniforms and carrying flags. This is performed on Easter Sunday in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus.
Easter Bouquet
Families cut branches from blossoming trees and bushes on Maudy Thursday and put them in a vase until Easter Sunday. Often families add colorful eggs to make the arrangements more festive.
Source: Amazon.UK
Gründonnerstag (Green Thursday)
This is the day that marks the end of Lent. It is a day of celebration, where those things that were abstained from during the six weeks before Easter may be consumed again. Although the word Gründonnerstag is derived from the old German word greinen, which means mourning or crying, today most people celebrate by eating something green, like a green salad or Frankfurter Grünesoße (a green sauce made from herbs, sour cream, boiled eggs and mustard).
Easter Bonfire
Traditionally the people of Hanover, Westphalia and Lower Saxony mark the end of the winter with a bonfire on the evening prior to Easter Sunday. They are usually held in beachfront areas and symbolize the light overcoming darkness.
Source: Uwe Rudowitz
Good Friday
In Germany Good Friday is called Karfreitag, meaning ‘sorrowful Friday’. It is the highest holiday of the Protestant church. Good Friday is a quiet day: workplaces and shops are closed. Churches hold services and families recognize the day by eating fish instead of meat for dinner.
The Palatinate Chapter wishes you a wonderful spring and Easter time!
Sources:
www.germanfoods.org
House Beautiful UK, 27.03.2024
www.iamexpat.org