5 Common Easter Traditions

Easter has been celebrated for over 2000 years, so it is not surprising that a lot of traditions have sprung up over that time. Here are five of the most common Easter traditions.

Decorated Easter Eggs

Decorating Easter eggs is a tradition that dates back to the 1200s. Eggs were banned during Lent but allowed to be eaten again at Easter so the tradition of having eggs at Easter was born. Eggs also symbolise new life which is fitting at that time of the year.

Decorating eggs became more popular among the Russian nobility in the 1800s. They liked to exchange brightly coloured and ornate eggs. Some were even famously jewel-encrusted such as those made by the designer Faberge. The tradition of painting eggs has now spread all over the world.

Easter Egg Hunts

Easter egg hunts originated in Germany hundreds of years ago but became popular in the UK in the Victorian times as family life – especially among the middle and upper classes – became more of a focal point. The Victorians invented the concept of ‘childhood’ and celebrated their offspring more. This was also a time when people began to have more disposable income and could afford to spend more time and money on leisure activities. Thus, the Easter egg hunt was born.

The Easter Bunny

Nobody knows exactly where the tradition of the Easter Bunny came from, but one theory is that it actually predates Christ. Pagans were said to celebrate the festival of Eostre around the same time that Easter is now celebrated. Eostre was the goddess of fertility, and her symbol was a rabbit. Some people believe that this was the origin of the Easter Bunny.

Nowadays the Easter Bunny is held responsible for distributing all the Easter eggs for the Easter egg hunts that have become so popular at this time of the year.

Hot Cross Buns

These are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. They originated in the 1600s when many people would make spiced or flavoured buns to have for breakfast on the morning of Good Friday. Many bakers would add crosses to all their products because it was said to ward off evil spirits, so this symbolism was not limited to hot cross buns, but it is only in this type of bun that the tradition has stuck.

Sending Easter Cards

Many people send Easter cards to friends and family they are not likely to see in person over the Easter period to let them know that they are still thinking about them. Sending Easter cards became popular in the UK in the 1890s. Spring scenes, Easter eggs, and religious easter cards were especially popular with people buying or making cards to send all over the country.

These five common Easter traditions have been transferred across the world and now many countries celebrate Easter with these methods as well as celebrating Easter in their own ways too. Some of the most fun traditions survive for centuries as the generations continue to enjoy them.