The 4th and 5th of April - EASTER

Easter is one of the main Lithuanian feasts, related to the awakening of nature and the joys of spring. In Lithuania Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon following spring equinox (the date varies every year from the 22nd of March to the 25th of April).

The origins of the feast

The title of the feast (Velykos-in Lithuanian) comes from the word “vėlės” (spirits-in English), because during this time of the year Pagan Lithuanian ancestors used to visit the graves of their relatives and bring them eggs. They believed that the spirits of the dead come from their graves together with the awakening nature and return to their graves after the first thunder. Our ancestors celebrated Easter as the feast of the awakening nature. After adopting Christianity this feast began to be associated with the resurrection of Christ. This is why part of the traditions originate from Christianity and part of them from the pagan feast of the awakening nature.

How do Lithuanians celebrate Easter?

Early in the morning, after going to the commemoration of Christ’s sufferings at the church, people come home and congratulate their relatives with the feast. After that the whole family sits behind the festive table. On the first day of Easter it is not usual to go visit your friends without an invitation. The biggest entertainments take place on the second day of Easter, when people decorate Easter eggs and play various games.

What’s special about Lithuanian Easter egg?

The main symbol of Easter is Easter egg – which symbolizes the birth of life and prosperity. Ever since the old times it was believed that decorated eggs, called Easter eggs, have special powers. For example, it was believed that one can ensure good harvest by burying an Easter egg in the fields. The egg decorations are created with the use of meaningful geometrical signs and symbols of the past. There many various signs used when decorating an Easter egg. The main ones are symbols of sun, snake, flora, birds and others. These symbols had magical powers in the past and have preserved some of them to this day.

What are the present Lithuanian Easter traditions?

The most entertaining Easter traditions that have been preserved to this day are the rolling of Easter eggs over a specifically made groove with the intention of rolling them as far as possible and the beating of Easter eggs in order to find the strongest one.