Catholic Easter
Description:
In the modern world, Germans celebrate Easter two days: Easter Sunday and Easter Monday. Both days are public holidays.
Originally, the ancient Germans celebrated the vernal equinox on this day and praised the goddess of spring and fertility Ostaru, from whose name the holiday came. The Christian Church tolerated this pagan custom, as a result of which it combined this festival with the Resurrection of Christ.
The egg (Osterneier), which previously had the meaning of life and fertility, in Christianity became a symbol of a new life and a new covenant. In Germany, eggs were consecrated from about the IV century, and even then they were painted in different colors (mainly red).
Another symbol of German Easter is the Easter hare (Osterhase). It is also borrowed from ancient Germanic cults and, according to popular belief, carries festive eggs (it is believed that they cannot be carried by ordinary chickens). On the eve of the feast of the Resurrection of Christ, the hare hides from the children in the grass, in the garden, in the forest Easter eggs, which the children are eagerly looking for to the pleasure of their parents during the feast. This is a very interesting and amusing Easter custom in Germany, reminiscent of the 12 Notes game.
However, this important business (dying eggs and hiding them) was not always done only by the hare. Even in the XIX century in some German lands, these features of the hare were completely unknown to anyone. Until the XVI century Easter eggs were engaged in animals of various species. In some regions they were "hidden" by foxes and roosters, in others - storks, cuckoos, cranes and deaf.
In the Middle Ages, the Easter hare was persecuted, as it was considered a symbol of lustfulness (hares have large offspring in spring). At one time, it was worshipped only by the Protestant Church. Now the Easter hare is the favorite of all children. In Germany and other German-speaking countries it is very popular. On the eve of Easter, it can be found everywhere: on curtains and towels, on doors and on the window; from chocolate and familiar soft toys to wooden, ceramic and even wax. Fantasies about rabbits do not count.
And another important element of Easter is the wreath, which characterizes the awakening of nature, the revival of a new life. Easter wreath in Germany is hung on the front doors or windows, and can be at the same time. They are decorated with flowers, blossoming branches.
On this day, it is customary to holy in the church, only blossoming branches. They are decorated with sweets (especially chocolate), fruits, ribbons and presented to children. Consecrated branches are attached to the head of the bed, at crucifixes, fireplaces. Dried branches are stored and used as amulets in bad weather, thunderstorms, diseases.