There are many shared traditions associated with the Easter holidays and differences too. Decorating eggs and eating chocolate Easter eggs is popular in many countries. The Western and Eastern traditions have evolved in their separate ways since the rituals of pagan times. The birth of spring was celebrated in different cultures over the years, developing into the Christian rites of Easter time.
The exact timing of when Easter should fall is the subject of debate but the Easter holidays are sometime between late March and late April. Most scholars agree that the resurrection of Jesus Christ is recorded as happening on the third day after crucifixion. Christians all over the world worship on Easter Sunday morning and the address from the Pope is broadcast from the Vatican.
For lots of people, religious ceremony is not part of their vacation from work. It is a welcome break however and certain customs are observed. These often involve families getting together, especially those with young children. The USA and Great Britain both have the tradition of decorating eggs on Easter Saturday, only for the Easter Bunny to hide them and then the children hunt for them on Easter Sunday morning. The Easter Bunny leaves gift baskets for children who have been good.
It's a profitable time for the confectionary industry and the greeting cards industry. The Easter holidays are a great excuse to eat large amounts of chocolate and Americans eat a lot of jelly beans at this time. Eating peeps, marshmallow candy in the shape of an animal, is another Easter tradition.
The Roman Bells share the responsibility of bringing the Easter Eggs with the Easter bunny in Belgium. The eastern districts of Holland light bonfires at sunset on Easter Day. Hungarians call the Monday of the Easter holidays, Ducking Monday and swap perfume for Easter Eggs. Finnish and Swedish children go door to door with pussy willows and dressed up as witches. They give the willow in exchange for candy. On Holy Saturday, a smorgasbord feast is eaten, containing potatoes, herring, salmon and eggs.
Other customs are more unusual, as in the Czech Republic and Slavic countries, where men whip women with willow rods. This represents fertility and shows that the woman is considered attractive to the opposite sex. The Norwegians have an altogether different way of spending the Easter holidays. They choose to watch from a selection of crime shows that are shown and new crime novels are published in time for the Easter break.
