Easter is a holiday that breaks the temporal boundary between death and life, between darkness and light, between the past and the future. This holiday unites Christians all over the world, but it is celebrated differently depending on the traditions and calendar. This year there will be a rare coincidence that all churches will celebrate Easter on April 20. In Ukraine, Easter is a historical holiday that combines age-old traditions, deep religious meanings and folk rites. Do the traditions of celebration remain unchanged when they intersect with global trends, commerce and new ideas about holiday “recreation”?
Easter in the context of history
First of all, it is worth remembering that Easter, according to Christian teaching, is the day when Jesus Christ rose from the dead after the crucifixion, and since then this holiday has become central in the Christian calendar. However, the history of Easter celebration is more multifaceted. Long before Christianity, many cultures had spring holidays that celebrated the rebirth of nature after winter. For example, holidays dedicated to the sun god or fertility gods often had similar motifs to the Christian Easter — a celebration of life, rebirth, and purification. The Christian religion integrated these folk rites, adapting them to its dogmas. Over time, many ancient symbols such as eggs, rabbits, and flowers became part of Easter traditions, although not always directly related to religious teachings.
The traditions of celebrating Easter have undergone significant changes from the time of early Christianity to the present day. After the official adoption of Christianity in the Roman Empire in the 4th century, Easter began to take on a more organized appearance, becoming a holiday with clear ritual requirements, including obligatory fasting and prayer. In the Middle Ages, Easter was celebrated not only in churches, but also in the streets, with huge processions and rich festive meals.
However, over time, especially during the Renaissance, when Europe was going through the stages of secularization (fr. sécularisation, from lat. saecularis – a type of change in the relationship between religion and society in the direction of liberation from religious influence – ed.), many traditions began to depart from the religious basis. At the end of the 19th century, the celebration of Easter became mass, and new customs began to emerge, such as coloring eggs, hiding eggs for children, and giving gifts in the form of chocolate bunnies.
During Soviet times in Ukraine, the celebration of Easter was not officially encouraged, the church was under pressure, and religious ceremonies were prohibited or restricted. However, many believers continued to observe traditions — they went to church at night, baked pascha, consecrated baskets, and passed these customs on in their families.
In the 20th century and at the beginning of the 21st century, the traditions of Easter continued to change, against the background of the commercialization of the holiday and the influence of the media. Easter has ceased to be only a religious holiday, becoming a real “cultural phenomenon” with numerous holiday fairs, exhibitions and mass entertainment that try to combine religion with fun.
Why exactly did the hare become a symbol of the Easter holiday
Traditional symbols of Easter are Paska, which is not just a festive pastry, but a symbol of eternal life and resurrection. Its round shape reminds of eternity and spiritual elevation. Krashenki are a symbol of renewal, rebirth and victory of life over death. Especially red — as a reminder of blood, but also of the joy of new life. Red wine is a sign of sacrifice, mystery and remembrance of the suffering that leads to the resurrection. However, there is another symbol of this holiday – the hare. How did it happen that he came to symbolize the Resurrection and new life?
The story of the fluffy messenger of Easter stretches back to pre-Christian times, when the world worshiped not crucified gods, but the cycles of nature. At the center of the spring rebirth was the goddess Eostra, the mistress of flowers, light and new life. Her constant companion was a hare – not a simple forest dweller, but a sacred creature full of symbolism and magic. According to one ancient legend, Eostra, wanting to save a bird with a wounded wing, gave it a new body of a hare. But the memory of the past remained: the hare unexpectedly retained the ability to lay eggs. But not some, but real color miracles, as if spring decided to paint the world in dreamy tones. Since then, it was he who became the harbinger of renewal and began to bring eggs as a gift. It is not surprising that in the English-speaking world the holiday is called Easter in honor of the same goddess Eostra.
Another, more earthly, but no less touching legend came from Germany. They tell about a poor woman who had nothing to amuse her children for the holiday, so she hid decorated eggs in the garden. When the kids found them, a rabbit happened to run by – and that’s it, the job was done: the children sincerely believed that it was he who brought them these bright treasures.
It is worth noting that the hare itself was not just a cute creature among ancient peoples. Back in the Middle Ages, a tradition appeared in Europe that pointed to the hare as a symbol of Easter. However, this animal did not become a popular symbol immediately. In the first mentions of Easter in medieval written sources, it was still about birds or other animals, but already in the 15th century in Germany, the tradition of the Easter bunny began to spread. The first references to the Easter Bunny can be found in written sources in Germany in the 1700s. According to legend, the Easter Bunny was imagined as a mythical creature that brings eggs to children by hiding them in grass or bushes at Easter. This is where the tradition of searching for eggs, which we still know today, started. The legend gained popularity, and eventually the Easter bunny became an integral part of holiday rituals in Germany, and then in other countries of Europe and America.
When German immigrants came to America, they brought their traditions with them. It was the German immigrants in the 18th century who began to organize Easter egg hunts and introduced the tradition of the Easter bunny in the United States. Initially, this hare was the personification of fertility and rebirth, but over time its role shifted towards commercialization and mass celebration.
In the USA, first of all, the Easter bunny became part of holiday advertising, including through chocolate rabbit figures and various treats. The Easter bunny gradually became a commercial symbol of Easter, and with it came traditions such as dyeing eggs, “hiding” them, and searching for them.
Today, the Easter bunny has become an important part of holiday traditions, especially in countries where Easter is celebrated with families. All these chocolate bunnies, plastic eggs and festive decorations have deep roots that originate in the traditions of Europe. Interestingly, in some cultures, the role of the Easter bunny is still played by other animals. In the UK, for example, Easter is associated with a chicken, not a hare, and children look for chicken eggs rather than hare eggs.
The history of the celebration of Easter in Ukraine and interesting traditions in different regions
The history of Easter in Ukraine is closely related to Christianity, although the roots of this holiday go back to the adoption of Christianity in Russia at the end of the 10th century. It was then that the first mentions of the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ began, which became one of the most important dates in the church calendar. Easter for Orthodox Christians is a celebration of the victory of life over death, the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. For many Ukrainians, it also has a deep symbolic meaning, which is embodied in the victory of good over evil, light over darkness.
Interestingly, Easter was not always celebrated on the same day. The fact is that the Western and Eastern churches used different calendars for a long time – Julian and Gregorian. Therefore, the celebration of Easter among Catholics and Orthodox did not always coincide. This became one of the reasons for the emergence of two different celebration traditions in Ukraine, where in the west the celebration takes place according to the Gregorian calendar, and in the east – according to the Julian calendar.
Ukraine is an independent, cathedral and indivisible country, which in its rich cultural heritage has a great variety of traditions that have grown on the basis of various historical and geographical influences. Due to its location, the territory of Ukraine became a field of struggle between Russia, Poland and Hungary, which definitely left its mark on the customs and culture of different regions. Depending on whether a particular region was under the control of one or another neighbor, its traditions had their own unique features, from steppe traditions in the east to forest traditions in the west. That is why Easter rituals in Ukraine are so diverse, and different corners of this great country celebrate Easter in their own way. But for Ukrainians, this holiday has always been a whole series of ceremonies that are preserved even in our time.
For example, in the Hutsul region, Easter is a real extravaganza of customs that begins long before the holiday. Hutsuls started preparing for Easter already a week in advance. On the eve of the celebration, on Wednesday and Thursday, children performed the ritual of “warming grandfather”. They went around the houses, shouting “Warm grandfather! Warm grandfather! Give bread!” This rite was not only fun, but also had a magical meaning, because the fire lit at this time was considered a symbol of family well-being and health. Children were often treated with small breads, and the Hutsuls themselves always wanted as many girls as possible to visit the house, because this was supposed to bring good luck in family life. Another interesting point in Hutsul customs was the attitude to water. It was believed that the water with which girls wash before sunrise gives them beauty and preservation of health.
The water used for washing was poured at the crossroads to ward off illness and misfortune. It also reflected the ancient idea of the relationship between man and the natural elements. The tradition of pysankarstva in the Hutsul region was also very important. Pysankas, which were painted alone, had great magical power, and giving them had a special meaning. For the Hutsuls, the egg was not just a symbol of spring rebirth, but a deep sign of the relationship between people. Also in Hutsul Oblast and Boykiv Oblast, the second day of the Easter holidays traditionally took place under the sign of a cheerful, albeit somewhat unexpected ceremony — boys doused girls with cold water. This custom had a deeper meaning than it might seem at first glance. It was considered a kind of “cleansing”, which symbolized renewal, youth and even a happy prospect for marriage. The girls’ parents were not at all indignant about such “courtships”, but on the contrary, it was considered a good omen if the watering men visited their daughter, they said that she was not forgotten, not hidden, and you could even embroider towels.
This water rite was also spread in other parts of Ukraine — in particular, in Podilly, where the Monday after Easter is still called “pouring” or “watering”. However, over time, the tradition was transformed: nowadays, they say, in Podilly, boys are no longer carried around with buckets of ice water, but with bottles of perfume, and girls are “watered” exceptionally aromatically. But the essence of the ceremony remains unchanged: a little mischief, a little flirting and a lot of spring mood.
No less interesting are the Easter customs in Polissia, where Easter has always been a day when the living memory of ancestors was combined with the future. For the people of Polissia, Easter embodied the moment of reestablishing contact with relatives who had already left. On this day, guests were left at cemeteries for the dead, and eggshells were thrown into the water to remember the deceased and ensure the family’s well-being. Polissians honored traditions that indicated the spiritual unity of generations, and among these traditions were numerous rites related to food. Easter basket and 13 eggs were necessarily placed in the Easter basket – in memory of the 12 apostles and Jesus Christ. Eggs were dyed with onions to give them a rich color, and they tried to keep the dye from changing their taste. The celebration of the holiday was also accompanied by singing and special prayers that were supposed to ensure health and well-being for the coming year.
Slobozhanshchyna gives us another specific tradition of Easter, where purity became the main emphasis. The owners of Slobozhanshchyna actively prepared their homes for the holiday: they whitewashed their houses, cleaned their yards, and baked Easter cakes. Beautiful new towels, embroidered for Easter, decorated homes. There was also a special tradition with paskas: they were often so large that they could not be removed from the oven. Belts were decorated with symbolic crosses, dough cones or sacred willow twigs. On the Saturday before Easter, residents of Slobozhanshchyna tried not to eat anything, only drink water, and be sure to take a candle to church. There was another interesting tradition — washing with a krashanka. Each member of the family had to wash with the best krashanka, and the girls, especially those who were on the show, believed that this would help them become beautiful and attractive.
But there is nothing more symbolic for Easter than Easter eggs. They are painted all over Ukraine, but each region has its own techniques and symbols. In Galicia, Easter eggs are painted according to a tradition that goes back to pre-Christian times, and each pattern on the egg has its own meaning. For example, a circle symbolizes the sun, and zigzags – water that brings life. Easter eggs traditionally have brighter colors in Podillya, while more restrained colors and less detailed patterns are popular in Kyiv region and Cherkasy region. In Polissia, on the eggs, you can often find more simplified geometric shapes.
Ukrainians have a singing soul. In the east, especially in the Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, special prayers and chants can be heard on the festive night. Since ancient times, there has been a popular tradition of “Easter songs” – special songs performed after divine services. They did not have the ritual nature usual for Christians, but conveyed the joy of the Resurrection of Christ.
In the southern regions of Ukraine, such as Odesa and Kherson regions, Easter is not only a religious holiday, but also a family one. One of the vivid traditions is the preparation of a large number of dishes: from pasak and scrambled eggs to traditional southern cabbage rolls and baked meat. A unique tradition has existed in the Kherson region since ancient times, which consists in the fact that there must be a symbolic “cemetery” on the Easter table along with other dishes. This is a plate filled with soil, in which the stalks of oats, sown shortly before the holiday, have sprouted. Among the green shoots of oats, as many eggs were laid as there were deceased relatives in the family. This plate with eggs remained in the house until “Provodiv” – the memorial week that comes two weeks after Easter.
In Volyn, the tradition of cooking grechaniki (pies with buckwheat filling – ed.) for Easter is ancient. This is a delicious dish that is usually prepared after fasting, when you can “talk” after weeks of abstinence from certain foods. Buckwheat became a symbol of this holiday, combining the simplicity and depth of national cuisine.
It is known that in Transcarpathia, Easter was accompanied by an ancient tradition of ritual immersion in holy water. As in other Ukrainian territories, water was considered sacred, but Zakarpattia was distinguished by a special ritual, when young people bathed in the river or lake after the Easter service.
In the 21st century, many Ukrainians are returning to their roots, reviving ancient traditions and rituals. One of these traditions is, for example, “mowing on Easter”, which is characteristic of the western regions. This tradition symbolizes the rebirth of nature, the new life that comes after winter. New forms of celebration appear, in particular, the organization of Easter fairs, where you can buy not only traditional Paskas and Easter eggs, but also decorative elements reflecting folk symbols. The revival of these traditions has become an important aspect for the preservation of national identity.
All these wonderful traditions, although they differ between regions, are an integral part of the Ukrainian Easter, reflecting a deep connection between man and natural forces, as well as between generations. And although many of these customs have undergone changes or even been almost forgotten, they still live in the hearts of Ukrainians, preserving the cultural identity and spirit of our people.
Easter in the world: amazing traditions
Easter has long become a cultural canvas on which each country leaves its unique stamp. Where someone’s eyelids crackle under the pressure of foreheads, in another corner of the world fireworks are set off in the center of the city. The Resurrection holiday, it would seem, is common to Christians, but everyone has their own music, colors, and rituals.
In Great Britain, Easter is not only a church service, but also a fun egg race on green hills. “Egg rolling”, or rolling painted eggs, is not just a children’s game, but an allusion to the stone that was rolled away from Christ’s tomb. In London’s Greenwich Park, you can see these eggs rolling down with a crackle and a laugh, like a symbol of new life bursting forth. The rite is simple, but deeply rooted in the symbolism of Easter.
Australia is a continent where everything is upside down: winter is summer, Christmas is on the beach, and Easter is with an Easter kangaroo. So, instead of the traditional rabbit that delivers chocolate eggs in Europe, Australians are increasingly entrusting this mission to a cute, but completely local symbol – a bilby or an Easter kangaroo. Children search for sweet eggs in the garden, and adults discuss environmental responsibility, believing that the hare is too harmful to nature, and the bilby has long since become a national hero.
Italy wouldn’t be itself if it didn’t put on a show at every opportunity. In Florence, for example, instead of a modest prayer on Easter, a grandiose event is held. There, a giant chariot with fireworks is brought to the square, which explodes during the mass. This spectacle is called Explosion of the Chariot — “cart explosion”. Italians say: if the fireworks go off without a hitch, the year will be happy. Fire purifies, and light overcomes darkness.
In Spain, Easter is not about sweets or children’s games, but almost a theatrical mystery. In Seville, thousands of people take to the streets, accompanied by giant statues of Christ and the Virgin Mary, wrapped in flowers, cloth and lace. Fraternities called Cofrad, carry these statues through the night, to the monotonous beats of drums. This procession embodies a dialogue between faith and the street, between personal pain and collective hope.
In Greece they do not play with colors. Eggs are dyed exclusively in red, which is a symbol of the blood of Jesus. After the festive dinner, everyone takes an egg and tries to break the opponent’s egg, shouting: “Christos Anesti!” — “Christ is Risen!” It is a game, but it is a symbol of prayer. Here, like nowhere else, tradition speaks the language of faith simply and sincerely.
Although Hong Kong is not a Christian center, here Easter has become another reason for a bright festival. Giant rabbits, fantastic eggs, flower installations appear in the city, and beaches and parks become a place for festive picnics. This holiday is rather a symbol of spring, life and family warmth. In a metropolis where millions of people run somewhere every day, Easter becomes a moment to stop and breathe easy
Sweden celebrates Easter in a very unusual way. Children dress up in witch costumes. Instead of Easter ears – noses with warts, instead of baskets – old kettles and brooms. They go from door to door asking for sweets, and it all looks like a Scandinavian Halloween. In ancient times, it was believed that evil forces are activated during Holy Week, so the rite with “Easter witches” had a protective function. Now this action has become purely entertainment, fun and absurdly charming.
Germans turn trees into Easter installations. Dozens of colored eggs are hung on branches at home, in the garden or even in parks. This is the “Osterbaum”, the Easter tree. Here, the egg is a symbol of new life, the tree is the awakening of spring. And although the tradition may seem decorative, it is deeply symbolic: the tree with the eggs became the embodiment of a world in which life sprouts from every crack
As you can see, Easter has long become more than just a symbol of resurrection, rebirth and victory over darkness. This holiday unites people who in different parts of the world choose to celebrate this light in their own way. So it turns out that Easter is like a world music tour of one very old, but always relevant hit called “Life goes on”. In some countries it is played to the rhythm of church bells, in others – in the style of chocolate-rabbit pop, and in some places it sounds with the witchy flavor of Swedish folk. But this melody is familiar to everyone.
Easter eggs with a deep meaning and Easter eggs appear in Ukraine on Easter, which barely fit in the oven. In Australia, a bilby comes instead of a hare. In Italy, they celebrate with fireworks, and in Greece, eggs have the character of real Spartans. Each country celebrates in its own way, adding its own “raisin” to the holiday, or, to be more precise, a little extra.
So, from Ukraine to Japan, from Scandinavia to Latin America, Easter as a holiday of revival takes on new forms, but its deep meaning remains unchanged. And it is this collision of different cultural layers, ancient symbols and new realities that creates a real kaleidoscope of traditions that are worth admiring and understanding why this day has become a universal great holiday for Christians all over the world.
