Editing Easter (section)

== Easter celebrations around the world ==
{{Main|Easter traditions}}
[[File:Velika noč - jedila hren šunka pirhi potica.jpg|thumb|Traditional [[Slovenia]]n Easter breakfast with eggs, ham with horseradish, and [[potica]]]]
[[File:Easter Colors.svg|thumb|right|170px|Pastel colors are commonly associated with Easter.<ref>{{cite web|title=Easter Colors: Significance and Symbolism|url=https://christian.net/resources/easter-colors-significance-and-symbolism/|last1=Adana|first1=Kor|publisher=Christian.net|access-date=April 6, 2025}}</ref>]]

[[Easter traditions]] (also known as Paschal traditions) are customs and practices that are followed in various cultures and communities around the world to celebrate Easter, which is the central feast in [[Christianity]], commemorating the [[resurrection of Jesus]]. The [[Eastertide|Easter season]] is seen as a time of celebration and feasting, in contrast to the antecedent season of [[Lent]], which is a time of penitence and fasting.<ref name="PennoyerWolfe2015">{{cite book |last1=Pennoyer |first1=Greg |last2=Wolfe |first2=Gregory |title=God For Us: Rediscovering the Meaning of Lent and Easter |date=1 December 2015 |publisher=Paraclete Press |isbn=978-1-61261-822-7 |language=en |quote=With the creation of Lent, the church brought together many of these preexisting customs and directed them to a common need--not only among those entering the life of the church for the first time, but also among practicing Christians for whom the mystery of Easter might threaten to become a mere commonplace. Lenet became a way for Christians to mindfully prepare for the coming feast, to open themselves to their own spiritual hunger in order to make room for the life and fulfillment offered at Easter. |edition=Reader's }}</ref>

Easter traditions include [[sunrise service]]s or [[Easter Vigil|late-night vigils]], exclamations and exchanges of [[Paschal greeting]]s, [[flowering the cross]],<ref name="Whitehouse2022">{{cite book |last1=Whitehouse |first1=Bonnie Smith |title=Seasons of Wonder: Making the Ordinary Sacred Through Projects, Prayers, Reflections, and Rituals: A 52-week devotional |date=15 November 2022 |publisher=Crown Publishing Group |isbn=978-0-593-44332-3 |pages=95–96 |language=en}}</ref> the wearing of [[Easter bonnet]]s by women,<ref name="Friedman2016">{{cite web |last1=Friedman |first1=Sally |title=Easter bonnets top at Burlington City shop |url=https://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/story/lifestyle/2016/03/27/easter-bonnets-top-at-burlington/17612366007/ |publisher=[[Burlington County Times]] |access-date=10 April 2023 |language=English |date=27 March 2016}}</ref> [[clipping the church]],<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198607663.001.0001/acref-9780198607663-e-201 | title=clipping the church | publisher=Oxford University Press | work=Oxford Reference | doi=10.1093/acref/9780198607663.001.0001 | date=2003 | last1=Simpson | first1=Jacqueline | last2=Roud | first2=Steve | isbn=9780198607663 | access-date=31 March 2013 | archive-date=12 April 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200412143800/http://www.oxfordreference.com/view/10.1093/acref/9780198607663.001.0001/acref-9780198607663-e-201 | url-status=live }}</ref> and the [[egg decorating|decoration]] and the communal breaking of [[Easter egg]]s (a symbol of the [[empty tomb]]).<ref name="Jordan2000">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=mzKVPZthGHUC&q=easter+egg+Christian&pg=PA51|title = Christianity|publisher = [[Nelson Thornes]]|first=Anne |last=Jordan|quote = Easter eggs are used as a Christian symbol to represent the empty tomb. The outside of the egg looks dead but inside there is new life, which is going to break out. The Easter egg is a reminder that Jesus will rise from His tomb and bring new life. Eastern Orthodox Christians dye boiled eggs red to represent the blood of Christ shed for the sins of the world. |date=2000 |access-date=7 April 2012 |isbn=978-0748753208 |archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210208133819/https://books.google.com/books?id=mzKVPZthGHUC&q=easter+egg+Christian&pg=PA51|url-status = live}}</ref><ref name="tomb1">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=hPMVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA119|title=The Guardian, Volume 29|publisher=H. Harbaugh|quote=Just so, on that first Easter morning, Jesus came to life and walked out of the tomb, and left it, as it were, an empty shell. Just so, too, when the Christian dies, the body is left in the grave, an empty shell, but the soul takes wings and flies away to be with God. Thus you see that though an egg seems to be as dead as a stone, yet it really has life in it; and also it is like Christ's dead body, which was raised to life again. This is the reason we use eggs on Easter. (In olden times they used to color the eggs red, so as to show the kind of death by which Christ died, – a ''bloody'' death.) |date=1878 |access-date=7 April 2012|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804014344/https://books.google.com/books?id=hPMVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA119|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tomb2">{{cite book|url = https://books.google.com/books?id=Wn-38NunUnAC&pg=PT120|title = Christian belief and practice|publisher = [[Heinemann (publisher)|Heinemann]]|author = Gordon Geddes, Jane Griffiths|quote = Red eggs are given to Orthodox Christians after the Easter Liturgy. They crack their eggs against each other's. The cracking of the eggs symbolizes a wish to break away from the bonds of sin and misery and enter the new life issuing from Christ's resurrection.|date=2002 |access-date = 7 April 2012|isbn = 978-0435306915|archive-date = 29 July 2020|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200729113653/https://books.google.com/books?id=Wn-38NunUnAC&pg=PT120|url-status = live}}</ref> The [[Lilium longiflorum|Easter lily]], a symbol of the resurrection in Christianity,<ref>{{cite news|title=Easter Lily Tradition and History|url=http://guardianlv.com/2014/04/easter-lily-tradition-and-history/|last=Collins|first=Cynthia|date=19 April 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=20 April 2014|quote=The Easter Lily is symbolic of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Churches of all denominations, large and small, are filled with floral arrangements of these white flowers with their trumpet-like shape on Easter morning.|archive-date=17 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200817151814/https://guardianlv.com/2014/04/easter-lily-tradition-and-history/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Schell|first=Stanley |title=Easter Celebrations|url=https://archive.org/details/EasterCelebrations |date=1916 |publisher=Werner & Company|page=[https://archive.org/details/EasterCelebrations/page/n96 84]|quote=We associate the lily with Easter, as pre-eminently the symbol of the Resurrection.}}</ref> traditionally decorates the [[chancel]] area of [[Church (building)|churches]] on this day and for the rest of [[Eastertide]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Luther League Review: 1936–1937|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4GDTAAAAMAAJ|date=1936|publisher=Luther League of America|access-date=20 June 2015|archive-date=3 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200803094720/https://books.google.com/books?id=4GDTAAAAMAAJ|url-status=live}}</ref> There are also traditional [[Easter food]]s that vary by region and culture. Many traditional Easter games and customs developed, such as [[egg rolling]], [[egg tapping]], and [[Cascarón|cascarones or confetti eggs]].<ref name="Hunt2016">{{cite web |last1=Hunt |first1=Scott |title=What's Up with Eggs and Easter? |url=https://www.stgeorgesonline.com/2016/03/15/whats-up-with-eggs-and-easter/ |publisher=St. George's Anglican Church |access-date=10 April 2023 |date=15 March 2016 |quote=The egg, with its hard shell, was used to represent Jesus’ tomb. Outside it looks lifeless. But, after a time, from inside breaks out new life. In some traditions the eggs were painted red to represent the blood of Christ shed for us. Easter egg hunts were organized to represent searching out the risen Jesus. Egg rolling was a game to remember how the stone was rolled away from the entrance of Jesus’ tomb. Even Martin Luther is said to have been a fan of Easter Eggs and Easter Egg hunts.}}</ref> [[Egg hunt]]ing, originating in the idea of searching for the empty tomb, is an activity that remains popular among children.<ref name="Hunt2016"/><ref name="Black2004">{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GZsHDG1-4X0C&pg=PT109|title=The Church Standard, Volume 74|publisher=Church Publishing, Inc.|quote=In parts of Europe, the eggs were dyed red and were then cracked together when people exchanged Easter greetings. Many congregations today continue to have Easter egg hunts for the children after the services on Easter Day.|first=Vicki K. |last=Black |date=2004|access-date=7 April 2012|isbn=978-0819225757|archive-date=4 August 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804005753/https://books.google.com/books?id=GZsHDG1-4X0C&pg=PT109|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Davis">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/happy-easter-whats-with-the-bunny-and-the-eggs/|title=Easter Traditions Explained|last=Davis|first=David|date=20 April 2014|work=[[CBS News]]|access-date=20 April 2014|quote=The German church reformer Martin Luther, Larson-Miller said, also appeared to encourage the tradition. "We know that Martin Luther had Easter egg hunts where the men hid the eggs for the women and children went and it probably has this connection back to this idea of eggs being the tomb."}}</ref> Today Easter is commercially important, seeing wide sales of [[greeting card]]s and confectionery such as chocolate [[Easter eggs (decorative)|Easter eggs]].

In countries where Christianity is a [[state religion]], or those with large Christian populations, Easter is often a [[public holiday]].<ref name="Agency 2016">{{cite web | last=Agency | first=Canada Revenue | title=Public holidays | website=Canada.ca | date=2016-01-21 | url=https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency/services/tax/public-holidays.html | access-date=2023-04-23}}</ref> As Easter always falls on a Sunday, many countries in the world also recognize [[Good Friday]] and Easter Monday as public holidays.<ref name="Acevedo 2023">{{cite web | last=Acevedo | first=Sophia | title=Are banks open today? Here's a list of US bank holidays for 2023 | website=Business Insider | date=2023-04-06 | url=https://www.businessinsider.com/personal-finance/when-are-banks-closed-us-bank-holidays | access-date=2023-04-23}}</ref> Depending on the country, retail stores, shopping malls and restaurants may be closed on the Friday, Monday or Sunday.<ref name="Uro Day DeMaris Roitto 2019 p. ">{{cite book | last1=Uro | first1=Risto | last2=Day | first2=Juliette | last3=DeMaris | first3=Richard E. | last4=Roitto | first4=Rikard | title=The Oxford handbook of early Christian ritual | publication-place=Oxford, United Kingdom | date=2019 | isbn=978-0-19-874787-1 | oclc=1081186286 | page=}}</ref>

In the [[Nordic countries]], Good Friday, Easter Sunday, and Easter Monday are public holidays,<ref>Public holidays in Scandinavian countries, for example; {{cite web|title=Public holidays in Sweden|url=http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/sweden-facts/worth-knowing-about-sweden/public-holidays|publisher=VisitSweden|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=13 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413224258/http://www.visitsweden.com/sweden/sweden-facts/worth-knowing-about-sweden/public-holidays/ }}<br>{{cite web|title=Public holidays [in Denmark]|url=http://www.visitdenmark.co.uk/en-gb/denmark/public-holidays|publisher=VisitDenmark|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=25 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725120415/https://www.visitdenmark.co.uk/en-gb/denmark/public-holidays|url-status=live}}</ref> and Good Friday and Easter Monday are bank holidays.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bank Holidays|url=http://www.nordea.com/About+Nordea/Contact/Bank+Holidays/1541152.html|publisher=[[Nordea|Nordea Bank AB]]|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=13 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413130718/http://www.nordea.com/About+Nordea/Contact/Bank+Holidays/1541152.html }}</ref> In Denmark, Iceland and Norway, Maundy Thursday is also a public holiday; it is a holiday for most workers, except those operating some shopping malls which keep open for a half-day. Many businesses give their employees almost a week off, called Easter break.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lov om detailsalg fra butikker m.v.|url=https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=27066|publisher=retsinformation.dk|access-date=10 April 2014|language=da|archive-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716030326/https://www.retsinformation.dk/Forms/R0710.aspx?id=27066|url-status=live}}</ref> Schools are closed between Palm Sunday and Easter Monday. According to a 2014 poll, 6 of 10 Norwegians travel during Easter, often to a countryside cottage; 3 of 10 said their typical Easter included skiing.<ref>Mona Langset (12 April 2014) [http://www.vg.no/forbruker/reise/reiseliv/nordmenn-tar-paaskeferien-i-norge/a/10130413/ Nordmenn tar påskeferien i Norge] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160410134907/http://www.vg.no/forbruker/reise/reiseliv/nordmenn-tar-paaskeferien-i-norge/a/10130413/ |date=10 April 2016 }} {{in lang|no}} [[Verdens Gang|VG]]</ref>
[[File:Otto Santi Ruvo 2023.jpg|thumb|[[Holy Week in Ruvo di Puglia]], [[Apulia]], Italy]]

[[Easter in Italy]] is one of that country's major holidays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ellci.net/easter-how-does-italy-celebrate-this-festivity/|title=Easter: How does Italy celebrate this festivity?|date=8 April 2019 |access-date=6 January 2024}}</ref> Easter in Italy enters [[Holy Week]] with Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, concluding with Easter Day and Easter Monday. Each day has a special significance. In Italy, both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday [[Public holidays in Italy|are national holidays]],<ref name="cerimoniale">{{cite web|url=https://presidenza.governo.it/ufficio_cerimoniale/cerimoniale/giornate.html|title=Ufficio del Cerimoniale di Stato|access-date=29 December 2022|language=it}}</ref> which results in a first and a second Easter Sunday, after which the week continues to a Tuesday.<ref name="cerimoniale"/> Also in the Netherlands, both Easter Sunday and Easter Monday [[Public holidays in the Netherlands|are national holidays]], and like first and second Christmas Day, they are ''both'' considered Sundays, resulting in a first and a second Easter Sunday, after which the week continues to a Tuesday.<ref>{{cite web|title=Dutch Easter traditions – how the Dutch celebrate Easter|url=http://dutchcommunity.com/2013/03/13/dutch-easter-traditions-how-the-dutch-celebrate-easter/|publisher=Dutch Community|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140413141059/http://dutchcommunity.com/2013/03/13/dutch-easter-traditions-how-the-dutch-celebrate-easter/|archive-date=13 April 2014 }}</ref>

Good Friday and Saturday as well as Easter Sunday and Monday are traditionally observed [[public holidays in Greece]]. It is customary for employees of the [[public sector]] to receive Easter bonuses as a gift from the state.<ref>{{Cite web |last=webteam |date=6 April 2017 |title=Τι προβλέπει η νομοθεσία για την καταβολή του δώρου του Πάσχα {{!}} Ελληνική Κυβέρνηση |url=https://government.gov.gr/τι-προβλέπει-η-νομοθεσία-για-την-καταβ/ |access-date=23 April 2022 |language=el |archive-date=28 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728051730/https://government.gov.gr/%CF%84%CE%B9-%CF%80%CF%81%CE%BF%CE%B2%CE%BB%CE%AD%CF%80%CE%B5%CE%B9-%CE%B7-%CE%BD%CE%BF%CE%BC%CE%BF%CE%B8%CE%B5%CF%83%CE%AF%CE%B1-%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%B1-%CF%84%CE%B7%CE%BD-%CE%BA%CE%B1%CF%84%CE%B1%CE%B2/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

In [[Commonwealth of Nations|Commonwealth]] nations, Easter Sunday is rarely a public holiday, as is the case for celebrations which fall on a Sunday. In the United Kingdom, Good Friday and Easter Monday are [[Public holidays in the United Kingdom|bank holidays]], except in Scotland, where only Good Friday is a bank holiday.<ref>{{cite web|title=UK bank holidays|url=https://www.gov.uk/bank-holidays|publisher=gov.uk|access-date=10 April 2014|archive-date=21 September 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921191903/http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/LivingintheUK/DG_073741|url-status=live}}</ref> In Canada, Easter Monday is a [[Public holidays in Canada#Statutory holidays for federal employees|statutory holiday for federal employees]]. In the Canadian province of [[Quebec]], either Good Friday or Easter Monday are statutory holidays (although most companies give both).<ref>{{cite web |title=Statutory Holidays |url=https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays/statutory-holidays |website=CNESST |access-date=1 January 2022 |archive-date=1 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101110616/https://www.cnesst.gouv.qc.ca/en/working-conditions/leave/statutory-holidays/statutory-holidays |url-status=live }}</ref> In Australia, Easter is associated with [[harvest]] time;<ref>{{cite web|title = Easter 2016|url = http://publicholidays.com.au/easter/|access-date = 1 June 2015|publisher = Public Holidays Australia|archive-date = 22 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211222181137/https://publicholidays.com.au/easter/|url-status = live}}</ref> Good Friday and Easter Monday are public holidays across all states and territories. The Saturday before Easter is a public holiday in every Australian state except [[Tasmania]] and [[Western Australia]], while Easter Sunday itself is a public holiday only in [[New South Wales]]; [[Easter Tuesday]] is additionally a conditional public holiday in Tasmania, varying between [[Industrial award|award]], and was also a public holiday in Victoria until 1994.<ref>[http://www.australia.gov.au/topics/australian-facts-and-figures/public-holidays Public holidays] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104013240/http://www.australia.gov.au/topics/australian-facts-and-figures/public-holidays |date=4 January 2015 }}, australia.gov.au</ref>
In New Zealand, Good Friday and Easter Monday are both state holidays.

In the United States, which is a secular country, Easter is not designated as a federal holiday.<ref>{{cite web| url = https://www.usa.gov/holidays| title = American holidays| date = 6 December 2023| website = USAGov| publisher = U.S. General Services Administration| access-date = 29 May 2024| quote = Many government offices and some private businesses close on annual federal holidays. '''If the holiday falls during the weekend, the government may observe it on a different day.''' [emphasis added]}}</ref> [[Easter parade]]s are held in many American cities, though not sponsored by any government, involving festive strolling processions.<ref name="Duchak2002">{{cite book |last=Duchak |first=Alicia |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_ho1VxKARgEC&q=easter+egg+hunt+non-Christians |title=An A–Z of Modern America |date=2002 |publisher=Rutledge |isbn=978-0415187558 |page=372 |access-date=17 October 2020 |archive-date=27 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211227231520/https://books.google.com/books?id=_ho1VxKARgEC&q=easter+egg+hunt+non-Christians |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Easter food===
{{main|Easter food}}
[[File:Colomba.jpg|thumb|[[Easter in Italy|Italian Easter bread]], the [[Colomba di Pasqua]]. It is the Easter counterpart of the two well-known [[Christmas in Italy|Italian Christmas]] desserts, [[panettone]] and [[pandoro]]]]
[[File:Hot cross buns - fig and pecan.jpg|thumb|[[Hot cross bun]]]]

The holiday of Easter is associated with various [[Easter customs]] and [[foodways]] (food traditions that vary regionally). Preparing, coloring, and decorating [[Easter egg]]s is one such popular tradition. [[Lamb and mutton|Lamb]] is eaten in many countries, mirroring the Jewish [[Passover]] meal.<ref>[https://www.thespruceeats.com/traditional-easter-foods-from-around-the-world-4161077 Traditional Easter Foods From Around the World]</ref> Eating lamb at Easter has a religious meaning.<ref name="palaisdurosaire">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=Il simbolismo dell'agnello pasquale|url=https://www.palaisdurosaire.com/it/blog/il-simbolismo-dell-agnello-pasquale-n169|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=26 December 2022|website=lacucinaitaliana.it |language=it}}</ref> The [[Lamb of God|Paschal Lamb]] of the [[New Testament]] is in fact, for Christianity, the son of God Jesus Christ.<ref>{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=La Sacra Bibbia|url=https://www.laparola.net/wiki.php?riferimento=Is53%2C7-12&formato_rif=vp|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=26 December 2022|language=it}}</ref> The Paschal Lamb, in particular, represents the sacrifice of Jesus Christ for the sins of humanity.<ref name="palaisdurosaire"/> Eating lamb at Easter therefore commemorates the [[Death and Resurrection of Jesus]].<ref name="palaisdurosaire"/>

A [[hot cross bun]] is a [[spiced bun]] usually made with fruit, marked with a [[Christian cross|cross]] on the top, which has been traditionally eaten on [[Good Friday]] in the [[United Kingdom]], [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]], [[South Africa]], [[Canada]], [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Malta]], [[United States]] and the [[Commonwealth Caribbean]].<ref name="Alexander2017">{{cite news |last1=Alexander |first1=Deepa |title=Season's eatings |url=https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/hot-cross-buns-fresh-off-the-oven-in-chennai/article17907662.ece |work=[[The Hindu]] |access-date=13 March 2021 |language=English |date=10 April 2017 |archive-date=17 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220117203350/https://www.thehindu.com/life-and-style/food/hot-cross-buns-fresh-off-the-oven-in-chennai/article17907662.ece |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="caribbean.loopnews.com">{{Cite web |title=Caribbean Easter meals to keep families together during covid-19 |url=https://caribbean.loopnews.com/content/caribbean-easter-meals-keep-families-together-during-covid-19 |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Loop News |language=en}}</ref><ref name="globalvoices.org">{{Cite web |date=2016-03-25 |title=Hot Cross Buns, A Caribbean Easter Tradition |url=https://globalvoices.org/2016/03/25/hot-cross-buns-a-caribbean-easter-tradition/ |access-date=2023-04-03 |website=Global Voices |language=en}}</ref> They are available all year round in some places, including the UK.<ref name="news.bbc.co.uk">{{cite web |last=Rohrer |first=Finlo |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8598312.stm |title=BBC - How did hot cross buns become two a penny? |publisher=BBC News |date=1 April 2010 |access-date=26 April 2014 |archive-date=13 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180613213448/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/8598312.stm |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Always a good time for hot cross buns |url=https://www.coles.com.au/whats-happening/inspire-and-create/always-a-good-time-for-hot-cross-buns |website=Coles |access-date=27 December 2021 |language=en |archive-date=26 December 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226094914/https://www.coles.com.au/whats-happening/inspire-and-create/always-a-good-time-for-hot-cross-buns |url-status=live }}</ref> The bun marks the end of the Christian season of [[Lent]] and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the [[crucifixion of Jesus]], the [[spice]]s inside signifying the spices used to [[embalming|embalm]] him at his burial and sometimes also [[orange peel]] to reflect the bitterness of his time on the cross.<ref name="TurnerTaylor1999">{{cite book|last1=Turner|first1=Ina|last2=Taylor|first2=Ina|title=Christianity|year=1999|publisher=Nelson Thornes|isbn=9780748740871|page=50|quote=To mark the end of the Lent fast Christians eat hot cross buns. These have a special meaning. The cross in the middle shows how Jesus died. Spices inside remind Christians of the spices put on the body of Jesus. Sweet fruits in the bun show that Christians no longer have to eat plain foods.}}</ref><ref name="Fakes1994">{{cite book|last=Fakes|first=Dennis R.|title=Exploring Our Lutheran Liturgy|date=1 January 1994|publisher=CSS Publishing|isbn=9781556735967|page=33|quote=Since people often gave up meat during Lent, bread became one of the staples of Lent. Bakers even began making dough pretzels--a knotted length of dough that represented a Christian praying, with arms crossed and hands placed on opposite shoulders. Hot cross buns are popular during Lent. The cross of course reminds the eater of Christ's cross.}}</ref> The [[Greeks]] in the 6th century AD may have marked cakes with a cross.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9806E3D7133AE633A25752C3A9659C946396D6CF |work=The New York Times |title=Who Were The First To Cry "Hot Cross Buns?" |date=31 March 1912 |access-date=4 May 2010 |archive-date=4 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304082159/http://query.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=9806E3D7133AE633A25752C3A9659C946396D6CF |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.countrylife.co.uk/food-drink/the-history-of-the-hot-cross-bun-1496|title=Curious Questions: Why do we eat hot cross buns at Easter?|first=Annunciata|last=Elwes|date=13 April 2019|website=Country Life}}</ref> In the [[Christianity|Christian]] tradition, the making of buns with a cross on them and consuming them after [[Lenten supper|breaking the fast]] on Good Friday, along with "crying about 'Hot cross buns'", is done in order to commemorate the [[crucifixion of Jesus]].<ref name="Hatton">{{cite book |title=The Origin of the Fasts and Festivals of the Church |date=1843 |publisher=Thomas Hatton |location=London |page=28 |language=en}}</ref> It is hypothesised that the contemporary hot cross bun of Christianity originates from [[St Albans]] in [[England]], where in 1361, Brother Thomas Rodcliffe, a 14th-century Christian [[monk]] at [[St Albans Abbey]], developed a similar recipe called an 'Alban Bun' and distributed the bun to the poor on [[Good Friday]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/news/archive/2014/the-city-of-st-albans-claims-the-original-hot-cross-bun |work=St Albans Cathedral |title=The City of St Albans Claims the Original Hot Cross Bun |access-date=7 December 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316214718/https://www.stalbanscathedral.org/news/archive/2014/the-city-of-st-albans-claims-the-original-hot-cross-bun |archive-date=16 March 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

For lunch or dinner on [[Holy Saturday]], families in [[Sweden]] and [[Denmark]] traditionally feast on a [[smörgåsbord]] of herring, salmon, potatoes, eggs, and other kinds of food. In [[Finland]], it is common to eat roasted lamb with potatoes and other vegetables. In Finland, the Lutheran majority enjoys [[mämmi]] as another traditional Easter treat, while the Orthodox minority's traditions include eating pasha (also spelled [[paskha (meal)|paskha]]) instead. In [[Greece]], the traditional Easter meal is {{lang|el-Latn|mageiritsa}}, a hearty stew of chopped lamb liver and wild greens seasoned with egg-and-lemon sauce. Traditionally, Easter eggs, hard-boiled eggs dyed bright red to symbolize the spilt Blood of Christ and the promise of eternal life, are cracked together to celebrate the opening of the Tomb of Christ. Greek foods of the Easter tradition are [[Flaouna]], [[Lazarakia]], [[Koulourakia]], [[Magiritsa]] and [[Tsoureki]].
[[File:Abbacchio Pasquale.jpg|thumb|[[Abbacchio]], a [[Lamb and mutton|lamb]] preparation from the [[Easter in Italy|Italian Easter tradition]]]]

Traditional Italian dishes for the Easter period are [[abbacchio]], [[cappello del prete]], [[casatiello]], [[Colomba di Pasqua]], [[pastiera]], [[Penia (bread)|penia]], [[pizza di Pasqua]] and [[pizzelle]]. Abbacchio is an [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] preparation of [[Lamb and mutton|lamb]] typical of the [[Roman cuisine]].<ref name="abbacchioromanoigp-prodotto">{{cite web|url=http://www.abbacchioromanoigp.it/Il_prodotto_tp5_pg161.aspx|title=Abbacchio Romano IGP|publisher=abbacchioromanoigp.it|access-date=10 June 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714115702/http://www.abbacchioromanoigp.it/Il_prodotto_tp5_pg161.aspx|archive-date=14 July 2014}}</ref><ref name="Treccani">{{cite web|url=http://www.treccani.it/vocabolario/abbacchio/|title=abbàcchio|publisher=Vocabolario – [[Treccani]]|access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref> It is a product protected by the [[European Union]] with the [[Geographical indications and traditional specialities in the European Union#Protected geographical indication|PGI mark]].<ref name="PGI">{{cite web|url=https://www.qualigeo.eu/prodotto-qualigeo/abbacchio-romano-igp/|title=Abbacchio Romano IGP|publisher=qualigeo.eu|access-date=7 January 2024|language=it}}</ref> In Italy at Easter, abbacchio is cooked in different ways, with recipes that vary from region to region.<ref name="lacucinaitaliana2">{{Cite web|last=|first=|date=25 March 2018|title=Perché si mangia l'agnello a Pasqua? C'entra la religione|url=https://www.lacucinaitaliana.it/news/in-primo-piano/pasqua-agnello-pasquale-simbolo/|archive-url=|archive-date=|access-date=26 December 2022|website=lacucinaitaliana.it |language=it}}</ref> In [[Rome]] it is roasted, in [[Apulia]] in the oven, in [[Naples]] it is cooked with peas and eggs, in [[Sardinia]] it is cooked in the oven with potatoes, artichokes and myrtle and in [[Tuscany]] it is cooked in [[cacciatore]] style.<ref name="lacucinaitaliana2"/> Other local preparations include frying and stewing.<ref name="lacucinaitaliana2"/> [[Colomba di Pasqua]] (English: "Easter Dove") is an [[Italian cuisine|Italian]] traditional [[Easter bread]], the Easter counterpart of the two well-known |Italian]] [[Christmas]] desserts, [[panettone]] and [[pandoro]].

[[Capirotada]] or Capilotade, also known as Capirotada de vigilia, is a [[Traditional food|traditional]] [[Mexican food]] similar to a [[bread pudding]] that is usually eaten during the [[Lent]]en period. It is one of the dishes served on [[Good Friday]]. Despite originally being consumed before Lent, ''capirotada'' is now consumed ''during'' Lent, especially during [[Holy Week]] and on Good Friday.<ref>[http://thezenchilada.com/current_issue.html Capirotada] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190616182748/http://www.thezenchilada.com/current_issue.html |date=2019-06-16 }} The Zenchilada page 102 Winter 2011]</ref> Recently, it has been given a spiritual meaning in relation to the passion of Christ and the Lenten season, thus, for many people, the bread represents the Body of Christ, the syrup is his blood, the cloves are the nails of the cross, and the whole cinnamon sticks are the wood of the cross.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-03-26|title=Eatymology: Capirotada|url=https://thelocalpalate.com/articles/eatymology-capirotada/|access-date=2020-09-04|website=The Local Palate|language=en-US|archive-date=2020-10-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028025341/https://thelocalpalate.com/articles/eatymology-capirotada/|url-status=dead}}</ref>  The melted cheese stands for the [[Holy Shroud]].<ref>{{Cite web|last=Mather|first=Robin|title=Mexican Easter bread pudding with a long culinary lineage|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/dining/craving/sc-easter-mexican-bread-pudding-food-0407-20170404-story.html|access-date=2020-09-04|website=chicagotribune.com|date=4 April 2017 }}</ref>

The [[Easter mona]] is a Spanish kind of [[cake]] that is especially eaten on Easter Sunday or [[Easter Monday]] in the [[Spain|Spanish]] regions of [[Catalonia]], [[Land of Valencia|Valencia]] and [[Region of Murcia|Murcia]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Twenty things you didn't know about the Mona de Pasqua |url=https://www.barcelona.cat/culturapopular/en/noticia/infobarcelonaentwenty-things-you-didnt-know-about-the-mona-de-pasqua_491374 |website=Barcelona City Council|accessdate=12 April 2020}}</ref> In other Spanish regions, these Easter cakes are common with variations in the recipe and name. According to the writing of [[Joan Amades]], mentions of the ''mona'' date back to the 15th century,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Easter 'mona' cake: what does the custom signify and where does it come from? |url=https://www.barcelona.cat/culturapopular/en/noticia/infobarcelonaenthe-easter-mona-cake-what-does-the-custom-signify-and-where-does-it-come-from_493912 |website=Barcelona City Council|date=27 March 2023 }}</ref> though in the Joan Lacavalleria's 1696 dictionary, ''Gazophylacium Catalano-Latinum'', ''mona'' still has a purely [[Zoology|zoological]] definition (meaning female monkey). The 1783 edition of the dictionary of the [[Royal Spanish Academy]] has the following definition: "Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia. Cake baked with eggs in their shell at Easter, known in other parts of the Iberian Peninsula as Hornazo".<ref>{{cite web |title=La Mona de Pascua (siglo XVIII, Barcelona, Murcia y Valencia) |url=http://usuaris.tinet.cat/vne/cal_03.htm|language=es|website=Tinet|location=Tarragona}}</ref>
[[File:Paskha2.jpg|thumb|Two [[paskha]]s with candles (with a [[Kulich (bread)|kulich]] and [[Easter egg]]s in the background)]]

[[Paskha]] (also spelled ''pascha'', or ''pasha'') is a Slavic festive dish made in [[Eastern Orthodox]] countries which consists of food that is forbidden during the [[fasting|fast]] of [[Great Lent]]. It is made during [[Holy Week]] and then brought to Church on [[Great Saturday]] to be blessed after the [[Paschal Vigil]]. The name of the dish comes from Pascha, the Eastern Orthodox celebration of Easter. Besides [[Russia]], [[Ukraine]], etc. Pasha is also often served in [[Finland]]. Cheese paskha is a traditional Easter dish made from [[tvorog]] (like [[cottage cheese]], {{langx|ru|творог|tvorog}}),<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/pashka|title=Pashka definition and meaning - Collins English Dictionary|website=Collinsdictionary.com|access-date=28 December 2017}}</ref> which is white, symbolizing the purity of Christ, the [[Lamb of God|Paschal Lamb]], and the joy of the [[Resurrection]]. It is formed in a mold, traditionally in the shape of a truncated [[pyramid]] which symbolizes the first [[Passover]] in Egypt, a nod to Christianity's early Jewish beginnings and a reminder that the [[Last Supper]] of [[Jesus]] was a [[Passover Seder]].  Others believe the pyramid is a symbol of the [[Trinity]], the [[Christian Church|Church]]; [[Holy Sepulchre|Tomb of Christ]]). It is usually served as an accompaniment to rich [[Easter bread]]s called [[paska (bread)|paska]] in Ukraine and [[Kulich (bread)|kulich]] in Russia (where the "paskha" name is also used in the Southern regions).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pravmir.com/article_178.html |title=Easter recipes: Kulich & Paskha |access-date=2014-04-11 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327040815/http://www.pravmir.com/article_178.html |archive-date=2013-03-27 }}</ref> The Easter foods; bread and cheese paska are very rich and made of many dairy items given up during [[Great Lent]]. They are brought to church on Easter to be blessed by the priest.

=== Easter eggs ===
{{main|Easter egg}}
==== Traditional customs ====
The egg is an ancient symbol of new life and rebirth.<ref>{{Cite web|date=3 April 2021|title=Easter Sunday 2021: Date, Significance, History, Facts, Easter Egg|url=https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/easter-sunday-spiritual-significance/|access-date=3 April 2021|website=S A NEWS |archive-date=3 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210403192335/https://news.jagatgururampalji.org/easter-sunday-spiritual-significance/|url-status=live}}</ref> In Christianity it became associated with Jesus's crucifixion and resurrection.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols|title=Easter Symbols and Traditions – Holidays|website=History.com|date=27 October 2009 |access-date=27 April 2017|archive-date=25 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211225054738/http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/easter-symbols|url-status=live}}</ref> The custom of the Easter egg originated in the early Christian community of [[Mesopotamia]], who stained eggs red in memory of the [[blood of Christ]], shed at his crucifixion.<ref name="SiemaszkiewiczDeyrup2013">{{cite book|last1=Siemaszkiewicz|first1=Wojciech|last2=Deyrup|first2=Marta Mestrovic|title=Wallington's Polish Community |date=2013 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing|isbn=978-1439643303|page=101|quote=The tradition of Easter eggs dates back to early Christians in Mesopotamia. The Easter egg is a reminder that Jesus rose from the grave, promising an eternal life for believers.}}<!--|access-date=5 April 2015--></ref><ref>{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=TinZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA558 |title=Donahoe's Magazine, Volume 5 |publisher=T.B. Noonan |quote=The early Christians of Mesopotamia had the custom of dyeing and decorating eggs at Easter. They were stained red, in memory of the blood of Christ, shed at His crucifixion. The Church adopted the custom, and regarded the eggs as the emblem of the resurrection, as is evinced by the benediction of Pope Paul V., about 1610, which reads thus: 'Bless, O Lord! we beseech thee, this thy creature of eggs, that it may become a wholesome sustenance to thy faithful servants, eating it in thankfulness to thee on account of the resurrection of the Lord.' Thus the custom has come down from ages lost in antiquity. |date=1881 |access-date =24 April 2014|archive-date =1 August 2020|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20200801065711/https://books.google.com/books?id=TinZAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA558|url-status =live}}</ref> As such, for Christians, the Easter egg is a symbol of the [[empty tomb]].<ref name="tomb1" /><ref name="tomb2" /> The oldest tradition is to use dyed [[chicken egg]]s.

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] Easter eggs are blessed by a priest<ref name="GBN">{{Cite book |date=2000 |publication-date=2000 |title=The Great Book of Needs: Expanded and Supplemented (Volume 2): The Sanctification of the Temple and other Ecclesiastical and Liturgical Blessings |pages=337 |place=[[South Canaan Township, Pennsylvania|South Canaan, Pennsylvania]] |publisher=[[Saint Tikhon's Orthodox Theological Seminary|Saint Tikhon's Seminary Press]] |isbn=1-878997-56-4 |url=https://stmpress.com/collections/service-books-1/products/the-great-book-of-needs-volume-2 |access-date=5 May 2021 |archive-date=16 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116154319/https://stmpress.com/collections/service-books-1/products/the-great-book-of-needs-volume-2 |url-status=live }}</ref> both in families' baskets together with other foods forbidden during [[Great Lent]] and alone for distribution or in church or elsewhere.
<gallery widths="300px" heights="240px">
File:Pasxalina abga.jpg|Traditional red Easter eggs for blessing by a priest
File:2004 Velikden Pascha Gorazd Andrej Timkovic Presov monastyr.jpg|A priest blessing baskets with Easter eggs and other foods forbidden during [[Great Lent]]
File:Expedition 51 Soyuz Blessing (NHQ201704190004).jpg|A priest distributing blessed Easter eggs after blessing the Soyuz rocket
</gallery>

Easter eggs are a widely popular symbol of new life among the Eastern Orthodox but also in folk traditions in [[Slavic people|Slavic]] countries and elsewhere. A batik-like decorating process known as [[pisanka (Polish)|pisanka]] produces intricate, brilliantly colored eggs. The celebrated [[House of Fabergé]] workshops created [[Fabergé egg|exquisite jewelled Easter eggs]] for the Russian Imperial family from 1885 to 1916.<ref>{{cite book|last1=von Solodkoff|first1=A.|title=Masterpieces from the House of Fabergé|date=1989|publisher=Abradale Press|isbn=978-0810980891}}</ref>

==== Modern customs ====
A modern custom in the [[Western world]] is to substitute decorated chocolate, or plastic eggs filled with candy such as jellybeans; as many people give up candy (sweets) as their [[Lenten sacrifice]], individuals indulge in them at Easter after having abstained during the preceding forty days of [[Lent]].<ref name="Shoda2014">{{cite book |last=Shoda |first=Richard W. |title=Saint Alphonsus: Capuchins, Closures, and Continuity (1956–2011) |date=2014 |publisher=Dorrance Publishing |isbn=978-1-4349-2948-8 |page=128 }}</ref>

<gallery widths="270px" heights="200px">
File:Easter eggs - straw decoration.jpg|Easter eggs, a symbol of the [[empty tomb]], are a popular cultural symbol of Easter.<ref name="Jordan2000"/>
File:Candy eggs in an Easter basket.JPG|Marshmallow rabbits, candy eggs and other treats in an Easter basket
File:Easter-egg-3195.jpg|An Easter egg decorated with the [[Easter Bunny]]
</gallery>

Manufacturing their first Easter egg in 1875, British chocolate company [[Cadbury]] sponsors the annual [[egg hunt]] which takes place in over 250 [[National Trust]] locations in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |title=Amazing archive images show how Cadbury cracked Easter egg market |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/easter-2015-amazing-archive-images-8963621 |access-date=21 May 2019 |work=Birmingham Mail |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809002239/https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/nostalgia/easter-2015-amazing-archive-images-8963621 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/cadbury-national-trust-church-england-airbrush-faith-easter-egg-hunt-remove-christianity-holiday-a7665436.html|title=Cadbury and National Trust accused of 'airbrushing faith' by Church of England for dropping 'Easter' from egg hunt|website=[[Independent.co.uk]]|agency=The Independent|date=4 April 2017|access-date=21 May 2019|archive-date=2 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190702052007/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/cadbury-national-trust-church-england-airbrush-faith-easter-egg-hunt-remove-christianity-holiday-a7665436.html|url-status=live}}</ref> On Easter Monday, the President of the United States holds an annual [[Easter egg roll]] on the [[White House]] lawn for young children.<ref>{{cite web|title=Easter Egg Roll|url=https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/eastereggroll|access-date=10 April 2014|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210120193618/https://trumpwhitehouse.archives.gov/eastereggroll/|via=[[NARA|National Archives]]|work=[[whitehouse.gov]]|archive-date=20 January 2021}}</ref>

===== Easter Bunny =====
{{Main|Easter Bunny}}
[[File:Bunny Wabbits (26218859322).jpg|thumb|Inflatable [[Easter Bunny]] in front of [[San Francisco City Hall]]]]
In some traditions, the children put out their empty baskets for the Easter Bunny to fill while they sleep. They wake to find their baskets filled with candy eggs and other treats.<ref name="Anderson2017">{{cite news |last=Anderson |first=Emma |title=Easter in Germany: The very deutsch origins of the Easter Bunny |url=https://www.thelocal.de/20170410/made-in-germany-the-very-deutsch-origins-of-the-easter-bunny/ |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=The Local Germany |date=10 April 2017 |archive-date=23 November 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123035016/https://www.thelocal.de/20170410/made-in-germany-the-very-deutsch-origins-of-the-easter-bunny/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Sifferlin2015">{{cite news |last=Sifferlin |first=Alexandra |title=What's the Origin of the Easter Bunny? |url=https://time.com/3767518/easter-bunny-origins-history/ |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]] |access-date=4 April 2021 |date=21 February 2020 |orig-year=2015 |archive-date=22 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022112913/https://time.com/3767518/easter-bunny-origins-history/ |url-status=live }}</ref> A custom originating in Germany,<ref name="Anderson2017" /> the Easter Bunny is a popular legendary [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic]] Easter gift-giving character analogous to [[Santa Claus]] in American culture. Many children around the world follow the tradition of [[Easter egg|coloring hard-boiled eggs]] and giving baskets of candy.<ref name="Sifferlin2015" /> Historically, foxes, cranes and storks were also sometimes named as the mystical creatures.<ref name="Anderson2017" /> Since the [[Rabbits in Australia|rabbit is a pest]] in Australia, the [[Easter Bilby]] is available as an alternative.<ref>{{cite news |last=Conroy |first=Gemma |title=10 Reasons Australians Should Celebrate Bilbies, not Bunnies, This Easter |url=https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2017/04/10-reasons-australians-should-celebrate-bilbies-not-bunnies-this-easter/ |access-date=4 April 2021 |work=Australian Geographic |date=13 April 2017 |archive-date=18 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210718202300/https://www.australiangeographic.com.au/topics/wildlife/2017/04/10-reasons-australians-should-celebrate-bilbies-not-bunnies-this-easter/ |url-status=live }}</ref>