Easter is one of the major festivals in the UK and it is full of customs, folklore, and traditional food! It occurs at a different time each year, any Sunday between March 22nd and April 25th.
Not only is Easter the end of winter, it is also the end of Lent (a time of fasting in the Christian calendar). It is therefore a time for fun and celebration!
The Friday before Easter Sunday and the Monday after are a bank holiday in the UK. Over Easter, schools close for two weeks there.
Easter Eggs
Easter eggs are a symbol of spring and new life and a very old tradition! Exchanging and eating them is a popular custom in many countries. In the UK, before they were replaced by chocolate, Easter eggs were real chicken eggs. The eggs were hard-boiled and dyed in different colours and patterns. Bright colours represent spring and light.
"Egg rolling" is a traditional game in which real eggs are rolled against one another or down a hill. The owner of the egg that stays uncracked the longest is the winner!
Another game is "egg tapping". You can hold an egg in the palm of the hand and bang against your opponent's egg. The loser is the one whose egg breaks first.
Nowadays people give each other chocolate Easter eggs, usually filled with sweets. In Britain children hunt for chocolate Easter eggs hidden by the Easter bunny around the house or garden.
Easter Bunny
The bunny is the symbol of Easter and it seems to have its origins in Germany. Rabbits are a symbol of fertility! However, Easter bunny (rabbit) may actually be an Easter hare. The hare was allegedly the companion of the ancient Moon goddess. In the UK children believe that if they behave "Easter Bunny " will leave chocolate eggs for them.
Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns, now eaten throughout the Easter season, were first baked in England to be served on Good Friday. They are small and sweet buns with fruit inside, such as raisins or berries. Before baking, a cross is made on top of the bun. After baking, some sugar icing is used to fill this cross.
An old rhyme was often sung by children awaiting their sugary treat:
"Hot cross buns,
hot cross buns,
one a penny, two a penny,
hot cross buns.
Give them to your daughters,
give them to your sons.
One a penny, two a penny,
hot cross buns."
Morris Dancing
Morris dancing is a traditional English form of folk dance which is also performed in other English-speaking countries such as the USA and Australia. The roots of morris dancing seem to be very old, probably dating back to the Middle Ages.
