If you happen to be in Germany during Easter and a passer-by greets you with the
words 'Frohe Ostern', don't be taken aback. He is only wishing you a 'Happy
Easter', as 'Ostern' is the German word for Easter. The Cross is covered on Good
Friday, when Germans eat fish delicacies. Easter in Germany is commenced by the
organization of a mass prayer in churches, on Saturday evening, which continues
until the dawn of Sunday. On Easter Sunday, families gather for the holy Easter
lunch, which is served with colored eggs and a lamb-shaped cake, among other
traditional recipes. Children in the country are very fond of receiving the
attractively decorated Easter eggs as gifts from their parents and elder family
members, on the festival. Go through the following lines to know more about
Easter celebrations in Germany.
Easter Celebration In Germany
Germany is regarded the birthplace of modern day Easter icons such as Easter
bunny and Easter tree. German kids were told of an "Easter bunny" (Osterhase)
that hid eggs and chocolates for children to find on Easter Sunday. German
immigrants to America - particularly Pennsylvania - brought the tradition with
them and spread it to a wider public. Today, Easter eggs are exchanged as
presents in Germany. The tradition of egg tree is also popular in Germany. The
eggs used for cooking Easter meals are not broken, but are emptied by blowing
the contents into a bowl, through pinholes at either end of the egg. The hollow
eggs are then beautifully decorated and hung from shrubs and trees, during
Easter week.
Easter tree, another symbol associated with the celebration of the festival in
Germany, is embellished beautifully with hollowed eggs, which are dyed and hung
with colorful ribbon, throughout the Holy Week. The decoration of Easter tree is
indigenous to the country and hence, a specialty of the nation. This tradition
is followed by the natives of the country, since ages. The occasion is
considered an opportunity to spend some quality time with family and close
friends.
In Germany, the Lent season is preceded by a carnival called 'Fasching'. In
Fasching parades in the city of Cologne, people wear masks and giant-sized
papier-mache heads, sometimes twice the size of their bodies. In some villages
of the country, people hold an Easter walk or ride in memory of the walk Jesus
took to His death. Another unique custom associated with the celebration of
Easter in Germany is the "Easter fire". For the fire, all Christmas trees are
collected and burned in a special place, making a huge bonfire, clearing away
the last signs of the winter and preparing for the spring. The bonfire welcomes
the bountiful spring and bids goodbye to the chilly winter.
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