Just like eggs symbolise new birth, Easter eggs symbolise birth and fertility and thus, are meant to celebrate Jesus’ rebirth. The Christian holiday celebrates the resurrection of Christ, after he was sentenced to death by the Roman emperor Pontius Pilate. Celebrating Easter with eggs has become a common practice throughout the world. But here are some lesser known and unique Easter traditions followed in different parts of the world.
France
In France’s Haux, people celebrate Easter by making a huge omelette. For over 30 years now, thousands gather to cook the same where over 5,000 eggs, dozens of kgs of onions, garlic, salt and pepper are used. A four metre pan is used to make the omelette. Once cooked, people share and eat the giant omelette together for lunch. If legends are to be believed, Napolean first made the giant omelette for his troops when he was travelling across Southern France.
Finland
In Finland, children dress up like witches and go door-to-door knocking and asking for chocolate eggs or coin as they recite traditional rhymes. They also trade paintings and drawings in exchange for eggs and coins. Their cheeks are painted red and they are often made to wear head scarves. This practice is followed as the Finnish believe that witches and evil spirits would wander around the streets to party with the devil before Easter.
Italy
In Italy, people celebrate Easter with more than 300-year old tradition called ‘The Explosion of the Cart’ in which a tall cart full of fireworks is pulled and made to stand in front of the Cathedral. People dressed up in medieval costumes; drummers accompany the cart. During the Easter mass, the Archbishop then lights a fuse that ignites the cart leading to a bright lights and fireworks up in the sky. It is believed that the custom ensures a good harvest.
Australia
In Australia, Easter is celebrated with chocolate Easter bunnies or Easter bilbies, the latter being an endangered species. People usually buy the Easter bunnies or bilbies from bakers and candy makers for children to celebrate the day. People also go to the church mass as usual and gather and celebrate with family and friends.
Guatemala
Roads in Guatemala’s Antigua are painted and coloured to make them look like embellished carpets to celebrate Easter. These are made from saw dust, fruits, palm leaves, flowers and paper. Local artists gather to paint religious themes, patterns, traditional scenes on the roads. Stencils are used to create the neat designs. Later, a clean up team sweeps all the colour off the road.
America
In America, people decorate real or artificial eggs by painting them while churches hold special services for people to gather and pray to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. The elders organise Easter egg hunts for children to engage them. New York holds the annual Easter Parade on Fifth Avenue and the crowds gather wearing extravagant hats and bonnets.
Bulgaria
Orthodox Christians in Bulgaria are known to boil and dye eggs in various colours and crack them. As red symbolises the blood shed by Jesus Christ on his crucifixion, the first egg is always coloured red. This egg is then preserved for a year until next Easter and cracked open then. It is believed that the condition of the egg symbolises how well the coming year will be.
