Easter in the UK

EASTER IN THE UK

In the UK Easter is one of the major Christian festivals of the year. It is full of customs, folklore and traditional food. However, Easter in Britain has its beginnings long before the arrival of Christianity. Many theologians believe Easter itself is named after the Anglo-Saxon goddess of the dawn and spring - Eostre.

Easter can occur on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25 as it is observed on the first Sunday after the first full moon following the first day of spring in the Northern Hemisphere. Not only is Easter the end of the winter it is also the end of Lent, traditionally a time of fasting in the Christian calendar. It is therefore often a time of fun and celebration.

The Friday before Easter Sunday and the Monday after are a bank holiday in the UK. Over Easter schools in the UK close for two weeks so children can digest all the chocolate.

GOOD FRIDAY

On the Friday before Easter, Christians commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a day of when Christians meditate on Jesus's suffering and death on the cross, and what this means for their faith.

Calling it 'Good Friday'  it is thought to be once called God's Friday or Holy Friday.

 Hot cross buns 

In UK Hot cross buns  are  baked to be served on Good Friday. These small, lightly sweet yeast buns contain raisins or currants and sometimes chopped candied fruit. Before baking, a cross is slashed in the top of the bun. After baking, a confectioners' sugar icing is used to fill the cross.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday is a day for Christians to celebrate his Jesus resurrection. Following Jesus’s arrest and crucifixion, he was buried in a tomb . The resurrection of Christ is an important part of Christian belief because of its association with salvation.

People attend at  special services  in churches on Easter Sunday. These may be longer or more elaborate than on other Sundays. In churches, it is generally a festive occasion with an emphasis on the dawn of a new life. In in some places  there is an Easter parade.

SYMBOLS OF EASTER

Many of the symbols and traditions of Easter are connected with renewal, birth, good luck and fertility.

EASTER EGGS

Eggs are a symbol of spring and new life. The traditionally bright colours represented spring and light. Easter eggs, which  is a popular custom in many countries, are a very old tradition going to a time before Christianity.

Many years ago Easter eggs  were real eggs. The eggs were hard-boiled and dyed in various colours and patterns. Then these eggs were replaced by chocolate   eggs.

Nowadays people give each other Easter eggs made of chocolate, usually hollow and filled with sweets. Britain children hunt for (chocolate) Easter eggs hidden about the home or garden by the Easter bunny.

Another popular custom is the  egg rolling game. In this game real hard boiled eggs are rolled down slopes to see whose egg goes furthest. The owner of the egg that stayed uncracked the longest won. The loser is the one whose egg breaks first.

THE EASTER BUNNY

Rabbits, are  symbol of fertility. The bunny as an Easter symbol 
seems to have its origins in Germany. The first Easter bunnies 
appeared in Germany during the early 1800s, at that time they were made of pastry and sugar. In the UK children believe that if they are good the "Easter Bunny " will leave (chocolate) eggs for  them.