In countries with Christian history, Easter is one of the most important holidays of the year. Combining ancient pagan symbols for fertility and life (the egg and the bunny) with the message of hope and renewal, Easter also marks the solid turn from winter firmly into spring. If you live in the United States or other countries, and see traditions like the Easter egg or decorating grasses/branches, those traditions may have come from Germany.
The Holy Week
First, a note: Easter is a variable-date holiday, which means that its date changes from one year to the next. Germany uses the Western Christian reckoning but make sure to consult a calendar for exact dates if you are making plans.
Easter Sunday marks the conclusion of a sequence of customary observances, starting with Karneval or Fasching and progressing through Ash Wednesday (Aschermittwoch). Interestingly, the timing of the movable feast of Easter determines the occurrence of Karneval (Mardi Gras).
In Germany, Maundy Thursday is referred to as Gründonnerstag (Green Thursday). Signifying the conclusion of Lent, Germans observe Green Thursday by consuming something green, often opting for spinach. Many households enhance their evening meals by incorporating a substantial green salad as part of the celebration.
Following this, Palm Sunday and Good Friday, considered “holy days,” precede the arrival of Easter according to Christian traditions. Similar to many European countries, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland observe Easter Monday as a public holiday, extending the Easter weekend into a prolonged break.
There are spring parades that occur some three weeks before Easter. These are called Sommertagszug (Summer Day Parade) and are basically a time when people tell winter that it’s time to leave.
For Easter itself, the observances properly start on the Friday before Easter (Good Friday). Historically, people ate fish on this Friday – this was because of a pun on the Greek word for fish, which was used to signify Jesus Christ in early Christianity. Within churches, the crucifix or cross may be covered in a shroud, representing the story of Jesus being condemned to death and dying via crucifixion on a Friday.
Easter Markets (Ostermärkte)
An Easter market bears similarities to a Christmas market in German-speaking Europe, focusing on Easter-themed cards, decorations, eggs, flowers, gifts, candy, and various festive items. While popular mostly in southern Germany and Austria, these markets can also be seen in northern German cities such as Berlin, Essen, Hamburg, Leipzig, and others. The duration of Easter markets varies, with most running for a week or two leading up to Easter, although some may be one-day events.
In certain locations, Easter markets close on Good Friday (Karfreitag), regarded as a “quiet day” in the religious calendar, while others remain open in the days following Easter Sunday. Many Easter markets provide schedules and other information on their websites, with some offering content in English alongside the information in German. These markets sell things like decorated eggs, wreaths, spring themed ornaments, chocolates shaped like eggs or bunnies or all sorts of other shapes, and other crafts.
They can be quite fun to go to! A note for the families, though: many of the chocolates in Germany around this time may contain alcohol, so be careful when giving chocolates to young children.
Easter Eggs (Ostereier)
Eggs have long symbolized the arrival of spring, with Eastern Orthodox Christians in East Germany bringing the tradition of painted eggs. However, it was the Germans who initiated the practice of hanging painted eggs on trees.
Many German families engage in the tradition of turning simple hard-boiled eggs into beautifully painted Easter eggs over the week leading up to Easter. These vibrantly adorned eggs are then suspended from branches both inside the home and in the garden.
To fuel creativity, Easter egg coloring kits are readily available at supermarkets, DM, and Rossman stores during this season. While pre-boiled and colored eggs can be purchased, partaking in the German custom of painting your own Easter eggs adds a special touch.
Once the eggs are adorned, many German children participate in Ostereiertitschen or Eierklopfen (Easter Egg Tapping). In this game, two players each hold a hard-boiled and painted egg in one hand, attempting to crack the other person’s egg while keeping their own egg as intact as possible.
The winner is the one whose egg sustains the least damage. This lively game has become a popular and beloved Easter holiday tradition in Germany.
The Easter Egg Tree (Ostereierbaum)
These Easter trees are called “Ostereierbaum” (literally: Easter egg tree) and a notable one, decorated since 1965, was the Saalfeld Eierbaum. 2015 was its last year open to the public, but you can still see its website here (English version).
Easter eggs adorn spring branches in nearly every household, forming the customary Easter Bouquet that heralds the arrival of spring. Typically, these bouquets feature branches adorned with blossoms or fresh sprouts, with catkins and forsythias ranking among the most favored choices.
You might also see, in some areas, city wells or fountains decorated with evergreens and also Easter eggs. This is a newer tradition, developed in the 20th century, though it uses old symbols of life – the idea of decorating or “dressing” a well exists in other countries, where it is seen as honoring water (as water is necessary for continued life) and the life and well-being of the community (by going to a communal well).
© Image by christty via Pixabay
Easter Egg Hunt (Ostereiersuche)
The Easter Bunny hunt has become an important part of the holiday for most German children. All over parks, fields, and gardens, friends and families come together on Easter Sunday. One or two parents discreetly venture off to strategically place chocolate treats in trees, behind bushes, and beneath stones.
Soon after, someone drops a not-so-subtle hint that they’ve just spotted the Osterhase (Easter bunny), sparking the idea of exploring. Armed with homemade Easter baskets, the children eagerly set off to discover what surprises await. The thrill of the hunt is immense, matched only by the joy of indulging in the sweet finds afterward.
The Easter Weekend Walk
Another cherished German Easter tradition is the Easter walk or stroll. With the arrival of spring and the anticipation of warmer weather, many Germans partake in an Easter stroll or hike—typically on Easter Monday, a recognized holiday in Germany and many parts of Europe.
Ideally, these walks occur in the countryside near a brook or river, or a spacious park if available. Easter is viewed as a time to re-establish a connection with nature after the prolonged and chilly winter.
The preference for a stream or brook is influenced by a renowned poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. It’s worth noting that the inspiration might have flowed in both directions: Goethe’s poem might have been influenced by the historical custom.
Commonly known as “Osterspaziergang” (“Easter Walk/Stroll”), the poem is a component of Goethe’s acclaimed masterpiece, Faust, Part 1—an epic lyrical drama often likened to Germany’s equivalent of Shakespeare. Found within a section titled “Vor dem Tor” (“Before the Gate”), the poem’s first line declares:
“Vom Eise befreit sind Strom und Bäche”
(“From the ice freed are stream and brooks”)
The poem ends with the line:
“Hier bin ich Mensch, hier darf ich’s sein!”
(“Here I am human, here I can be that!”)
German Easter Fountains
The Osterbrunnen, translated as Easter Well or Easter Fountain, is a German tradition involving the embellishment of public wells or fountains with Easter eggs during the Easter season. Originating in the early 20th century within the Franconian Switzerland region of Upper Franconia, this practice has since extended to various other regions. Typically, the decorations remain in place from Good Friday until two weeks after Easter.
This tradition of adorning wells for Easter holds significance as it pays homage to water, a vital element for life, and Easter, a celebration of renewed life. Alongside eggs, which are now often artificial to prevent vandalism, paper ribbons known as “Pensala” and garlands crafted from evergreens are intricately woven around well-heads or shaped into crowns above them.
German Easter Bonfires
On Saturday or Sunday (depending on the tradition) there are vigil services and Easter bonfires. The Easter fire helps bring the community together again, and is again a symbol not only of the Christian idea of overcoming sin and death, but also signifying previous traditions signifying warmth and fertility.
Lighting an Easter bonfire is a tradition observed throughout Germany. This pagan ritual, originally symbolizing the onset of spring, has been embraced by Christians to symbolize the resurrection of Christ. In Hamburg, along the banks of the Elbe River, four substantial Easter bonfires are annually ignited as part of this tradition.
On Easter Sunday, many relax with their families and friends. They may go to church or they may not; however it is a time where people visit each other, and children may hunt for Easter eggs or get given some decorated eggs and candy. An Easter meal is consumed – particularly during brunch or lunch time.
Easter Food
This meal historically has made use of lamb (again, because of Christian symbolism: the idea that Jesus was the sacrificial lamb of God). There may be more chocolates and pastries than usual at the Easter meal – after all, it’s meant to be a festive meal, so people tend to concentrate on the desserts. Decorations put up for Easter often last through the week, ending roughly a week after Easter Sunday.
Easter Bread (Osterbrot)
Easter Bread, or Osterbrot, encompasses a diverse category of primarily sweet-flavored breads traditionally baked to end the period of fasting. This delightful treat can be purchased from a bakery or prepared at home with yeast dough. Reflecting the rich tapestry of traditions in German-speaking Europe, Easter Bread (Osterbrot) is a regional practice, with varying recipes and names across different areas.
One prevalent variety is the Hefezopf, a braided yeast bun, often accompanied by cranberries, raisins, or almonds in the dough. Another version, known as Hefekranz or “yeast wreath,” takes the braided sections and forms them into a circular wreath shape.
Hefezopf extends beyond Easter, being enjoyed during Christmas, New Year, and various other holidays or special occasions. Additional variations of Osterbrot include Attendorner Ostersemmel (non-sweet), Osterfladen, Aachener Poschweck, and Osterpinze (found in Southern Austria, Italy, and Slovenia).
The Easter Lamb Cake (Osterlamm Kuchen)
Easter Lamb Cake is a treat in the shape of a lamb which signifies the Passover sacrifice during the last supper. Bakeries across the country offer Lamb cakes in various sizes, adorned with powdered sugar, lemon glaze, or encased in chocolate and candies, making them a delightful treat during the Easter season.
German Easter Vocabulary
Here is also a list of Easter vocabulary for learners of the German language:
- Frohe Ostern – Happy Easter
- der Osterhase – Easter Rabbit
- das Osterei – Easter Egg
- Ostereier suchen – Search for Easter Egg
- der Ostersonntag – Easter Sunday
- die Ostermesse – Easter Church Service
- das Schokoladenei – Chocolate Easter Egg
FAQs about Easter Sunday and German Easter Traditions
Here are some of the questions people ask about German Easter customs.
What is the German tradition for Easter?
Germans celebrate Easter with various traditions. One common practice is the preparation and consumption of Easter bread (Osterbrot) and gathering for an Eastern brunch or lunch. Many regions also have traditions that include Easter colored eggs and egg hunts.
What do they eat on Easter in Germany?
Traditional Easter foods in Germany include Easter bread, lamb-shaped cake, and lamb, symbolizing spring and renewal. Additionally, Easter egg-shaped treats and chocolates are widely enjoyed, and German families often come together for special meals such as Easter brunch or lunch.
What do German people eat on Good Friday?
Good Friday in Germany often involves abstaining from meat, with many people opting for fish dishes instead. Popular choices include fish soup, baked or grilled fish, and traditional dishes like Matjes (young herring) with potatoes. The avoidance of meat on Good Friday is a common practice and has a religious meaning.
Is the Easter Bunny a German tradition?
Yes, the Easter Bunny is a part of German Easter traditions. The “Osterhase” brings eggs, chocolates, and treats to children on Easter Sunday. The tradition of the Easter bunnies has its roots in German folklore, symbolizing fertility and the arrival of spring.
Summing Up: German Easter Traditions and Chocolate with Alcohol
From adorning an Easter tree to the cherished Easter egg hunt and delightful Easter bread varieties, this journey through German Easter traditions unveils the cultural richness and diverse festivities that mark the arrival of spring in Germany. Explore the enchanting world of painted Easter eggs, festive markets, and time-honored customs that bring families and communities together during this joyous season.
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