Photo by depositphotos.com
Every spring, churches bloom with lilies, families gather for brunch, and somewhere out there, someone’s desperately peeling dye-stained eggshells from a not-quite-hard-boiled mess. Easter is here again—a time for reflection, renewal, and, in many corners of the world, downright curious traditions.
Sure, for many Christians, Easter is a solemn celebration of the resurrection of Jesus—sunrise services, Easter vigils, and shared moments of hope. But religious observance isn’t the only show in town. Across the globe, this season is marked by rituals that range from charmingly sweet to almost surreal. Some are rooted in ancient folklore, others dreamed up in modern marketing departments, but all of them make you pause and think, Well, that’s new.
So whether you’re in it for the sacred or the strange, these are some of the most fascinating (and frankly, bizarre) Easter facts and traditions from around the world.
1. When to Celebrate? Let’s Ask the Algorithm
You’d think setting a holiday date would be easy. Not so with Easter. For centuries, church authorities had to rely on complex astronomical calculations and lunar cycles just to decide when Easter Sunday would fall. The result? Eastern Orthodox and Western churches often disagree on the date altogether. Even today, calendars clash—and honestly, who knew theology involved this much math?
2. In Sweden, Easter Means Witches and Candy
Move over Halloween—Swedish children dress up as witches during Easter week. Called påskkärringar, these little witches go door-to-door offering drawings or decorated twigs in exchange for sweets. The tradition harks back to old folklore about witches flying to a mythical island to party with the devil. In Finland, the custom comes with a twist: kids recite a spell that loosely translates to, “I wave a twig for a fresh and healthy year ahead; a twig for you, a treat for me!”
3. No Bunnies, Please—We’re Australian
In Australia, rabbits are more pest than pet. Enter the Easter Bilby: a long-eared marsupial with a cause. As part of an ecological awareness campaign, Australians are encouraged to swap out chocolate bunnies for chocolate bilbies, in honor of the endangered creature. Cute and conscientious.
4. Dancing Skeletons and the Death Parade in Catalonia
Easter in Verges, Spain, isn’t just about pageantry—it’s about mortality. Known as La Processó de Verges, this three-part event includes theatrical reenactments of the Passion of Christ, culminating in a sobering “Dance of Death.” Two adults and three children dressed as skeletons parade through the town, carrying scythes, ash-filled plates, and a clock with no hands. It’s a haunting reminder that time waits for no one. This tradition has been going strong for over 300 years.
5. Smoke and Scripture in Papua New Guinea
Forget chocolate—how about a cigarette tree? In Papua New Guinea, it’s not uncommon to see tobacco plants decorated with sticks of tobacco and packets of smokes for Easter. These trees often stand outside churches and are later dismantled so congregants can share the goods. Once services end, families head home to enjoy leftovers from Good Friday, puffing away in celebration.
From skeleton dances to rabbit replacements, Easter is more than just jellybeans and pastels. It’s a celebration shaped by local stories, centuries-old customs, and a touch of absurdity that makes the season all the more interesting.
Curious for more egg-cellent facts? Don’t miss our companion post: Surprising Facts About Easter