LIFESTYLE | Events
Easter in the USA - Ostern in
There are many different Easter traditions around the world. Germany and the USA have some traditions in common, but others are quite typical for each country.
Easter is the highest celebration of Christians and remembers the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. Easter has two origins: the pagan spring festival called Ostara and the Jewish Passover, also called Pesach during the Middle Ages. The word remains closely tied to its Indo-European origins in most languages, with German (Ostern) and English being notable exceptions. An Anglo-Saxon church leader named it Eostro (dawn) for the first time, since Christians were supposed to keep watch until dawn during the Easter night. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the spring full moon in spring and is therefore a so-called “floating holiday.”
COMMON TRADITIONS
GERMANY
USA
►► EASTER FIRE Since the 16th century, in the night of Holy Saturday to Easter Sunday, a traditional Easter fire is built in front of the church. The Easter candle is lit and will burn until the Ascension Day. ►► EASTER LAMB The risen Jesus is often portrayed as a lamb, and it is a tradition in many parts of Germany to bake Easter lambs.
►► PARADES & BONNETS Many cities in the U.S. celebrate with Easter parades, typically on Easter Monday. The parade on 5th Avenue in New York is an absolute highlight. People dressed in colorful clothes roam the streets in flower-laden carriages and celebrate in exuberance. Every year, the imaginatively decorated hats, the so-called “Bonnets”, are an eye-catcher.
►► EGG-THROWING This game exists in different variations, depending on the region. In Bavaria, the egg is traditionally put in a woolen bag and repeatedly thrown until the shell breaks. The winner is whose egg survives the longest without breaking. In other parts of Germany, Easter eggs are thrown over the roof of a house and a partner is supposed to catch the egg. It is said that the house will now be protected from lightning.
42 | HEIMAT abroad | SPRING 2019
►► EASTER EGG ROLL Since 1878, the Easter egg roll for children takes place in the garden of the White House in Washington. It's about rolling a hard-boiled egg down the hill as fast as you can. The only permitted assistance is using a wooden stick. Each participant receives a wooden egg signed by the President and the First Lady. ►► EASTER EGG HUNTS Many churches, clubs, and schools organize Easter egg hunts for all ages. Everyone can join and try to find as many candy-filled plastic eggs as possible.
►► EASTER BUNNY The hare has always been a symbol of fertility because of its high number of offspring. He was the favorite animal and symbol of the pagan fertility goddess Eostre; the Eostre festival took place in her honor. The Christians took over the symbol of the hare for Easter—a sign of life and rebirth. It is believed that German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania introduced the idea of an egg-laying rabbit called “Easter Bunny” to the United States. The children of the German immigrants built nests in which the Easter bunny could lay his colorful eggs. Today, instead of nests, colorful ornate baskets are often used to gather Easter eggs, chocolate, and other sweets. ►► EASTER EGGS Worldwide, the egg has always had a special meaning for spring and rebirth. In the 5th century, the church recognized the egg as a symbol of resurrection. ►► BOILING AND DYING EGGS The first Easter eggs were dyed in the 13th century. People used to decorate the eggs by tying a leaf to it and boiling it in onion juice. The leaf left a white spot on the egg. Later, during the Great Lent, it was forbidden to eat eggs and meat. However, as the chickens continued to lay eggs, people boiled the eggs in order to preserve them. To distinguish them from the raw eggs, they colored them.
