Since Easter is quickly approaching, I thought it was appropriate to do a little post about this holiday. In Germany, of course.
The celebration of Easter in Germany is probably one of the most important events of the year. Many of the customs associated with its celebration are actually originally from this country, such as the use of decorated eggs and the Easter bunny.
A few weeks before Easter Sunday in Germany, you can also see in many towns an Easter Market, called Ostermarkt in German, where they sell decorated Easter eggs, chocolate eggs and bunnies, spring ornaments and more Easter crafts. Germans love to decorate their house and garden with Easter decoration. But be careful about chocolate Easter eggs in Germany: many contain alcohol and are not suitable for young kids!
Interestingly enough, many of these Easter decorations come directly from the pagan Frühlingfest's (a spring party) symbols of fertility such as the egg and the rabbits that became the Ostereier (Easter eggs) and the Osterhasen (Easter bunnies). It is the Germans who brought these customs with them when they immigrated to North America. Other German Easter traditions include Easter trees and the Easter fountain, an old tradition designed to celebrate the importance of water as a life giver and its belief that the water that has been blessed on Easter Sunday has special powers.
I did not know about the Easter connection. Thx. (Great job!)
ReplyDeleteGreat info about Easter in Germany.
ReplyDeleteI love hearing about traditions America shares with other countries, way to be applicable Rachel! :) that painted Easter egg is really beautiful as well, great job!
ReplyDeleteTheir chocolate Easter eggs contains alcohol, that is funny!
ReplyDeleteThis was very interesting especially the chocolate egg and painted one!
ReplyDeleteThis was very appropriate for this week for being the Easter season
ReplyDeleteGood information. Thanks for sharing.
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