Which easter traditions come from germany

Have you ever heard of egg striking? For thousands of years Germans have welcomed the first major religious feast of the year with a whole range of traditions and customs. It's a rather apt description of how Germans feel when Easter finally comes, heralding the advent of spring after a long cold winter. Parks and gardens beckon them to leave their warm scarves and hats at home and enjoy the first rays of sunshine together with friends and family.

At Easter, Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. However, modern-day Easter traditions still contain traces of even older pagan rituals. Dying eggs, for instance, goes back to a pre-Christian symbol of fertility. Over the centuries a variety of regional Easter traditions developed across Germany, some of which are still lovingly kept alive today.

One popular tradition that is still very much alive today is Easter egg hunting. Children especially love hunting for Easter eggs in the garden or around the house on Easter Sunday.

Another old German Easter custom is to give the house a thorough spring cleaning and get rid off the old dust which has gathered over the long winter months. And on Easter Monday, it is time for a bit of an exercise.

Many Germans use the last holiday to go hiking in the mountains or walking in the forest. If you think Santa Claus is the only holiday gift-giver to get mail, think again! Visit the new DW website Take a look at the beta version of dw. Go to the new dw. More info OK. Wrong language? Change it here DW. COM has chosen English as your language setting.

COM in 30 languages. Deutsche Welle. Audiotrainer Deutschtrainer Die Bienenretter. Travel German Easter Traditions Easter in Germany is the time for colored eggs, chocolate bunnies, bonfires and spring cleaning. Thus, honoring of Christ coincides with awakening of the nature to the new life after the wintry sleep. In German households there is Spring cleaning and decorations are brought into the home, budding twigs, crocuses and daffodils, willow and birch, the first shoots of grasses, or wheat sprouts.

Easter trees, small trees or branches, decorated with eggs, have long been a part of German Easter celebration. An inseparable part of the holiday is the gorgeous Easter meal taken after a long period of severe fasting. 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.