Easter traditions differ widely across the globe. Some are unusual, while others date back hundreds of years. In Switzerland, we’re familiar with egg tapping or hiding Easter baskets. But did you know that in other countries, traditions can be even wilder or more spectacular? We’ve picked six traditions that prove Easter can be quite an adventure.

 

#1 Bulgaria: More than just egg tapping

Something similar to Swiss egg tapping is also done in Bulgaria. Eggs are boiled and dyed, often using beets, blueberries, or cornflowers. The finished eggs are taken to church on Easter Sunday. Once the service is over, the battle begins. Eggs are thrown against church walls or even at family members.

There’s a reason behind it: it’s not the person who avoids getting hit that’s considered lucky, but the one whose egg remains unbroken. The prize for an intact egg? A year full of success, or so the tradition says.

 

#2 Ireland: Where the fish gets buried

A fish burial might sound odd at first. In Ireland, however, it’s a common Easter practice. The explanation is simple: Easter marks the end of the Christian fasting period, when no meat, only fish, was eaten. This was particularly tough for butchers in the past, as sales dropped. When Easter finally arrived, meat returned to the table, and the joy was so great that the herring was ceremoniously buried. Local butchers typically organize the event, eagerly awaiting the end of Lent.

 

#3 Denmark: Riddle letters and chocolate

Danish Easter traditions aren’t far from our own. Chocolate eggs and decorated eggs are a must. But unlike in Switzerland, Danish children can also earn chocolate. Here’s how it works: before Easter, they make pretty cards or paper cutouts with poems, signing only with dots instead of their names. The recipient must guess who sent it. If the adult can’t figure it out, they pay with chocolate eggs. If the sender is correctly identified, they receive an Easter egg in return.

 

#4 Poland: Wet monday

In Poland, Easter Monday gets wet. The tradition, called Śmigus-dyngus, involves splashing everyone with water, whether from water guns or buckets. Theories about its origins vary. Some say young men use it to show affection for their crushes, others believe the water washes away dirt, disease, and sins. Another theory links it to fertility for those who get soaked. Either way, it’s wise to wear waterproof clothes on Easter Monday in Poland.

 

#5 Sweden: The Easter witches come calling

In Sweden, one Easter custom is especially fun for children. On Maundy Thursday and Holy Saturday, Easter witches or Easter gnomes go door to door. Girls wear colorful headscarves and long skirts, while boys wear floppy hats and paint on beards. They wish adults a happy Easter and give handmade drawings. In return, they receive candy and sometimes a small amount of money. According to pre-Christian folklore, the witches gather on the night from Maundy Thursday to Good Friday. Fireworks and noise are used to drive them back to Blåkulla.

 

#6 Australia: Not fans of the easter bunny

Here in Europe, shops are filled with Easter bunnies, chocolate, plush, or illustrated. Australians, however, hardly share the enthusiasm. Rabbits, introduced by European settlers about 150 years ago, became a plague. With few natural predators, the population exploded. Today, there are over 300 million rabbits in Australia. By comparison, the human population is just over 27 million, roughly eleven rabbits per person.

The consequence: rabbits eat everything bare, leaving little for native species, many of which are now threatened with extinction.

Enter the bilby, a small, nocturnal marsupial with soft fur and a pointed nose. The bilby has become Australia’s Easter substitute. In recent years, shops have stocked more chocolate bilbies than bunnies. Even better, part of the proceeds from Easter bilbies goes toward protecting native wildlife.