Latvian Easter

Easter is called Lieldienas in Latvia. The main Easter symbol is Easter eggs. The major tradition is colouring eggs and having egg fights Latvian Easter eggs are traditionally decorated using natural dyes derived from plant matter. The most traditional is dry skins from yellow onions are the most common source of dye. Some eggs are decorated using leaves and flowers, which are pressed to the side of the egg using a porous cloth and then boiled with the onion skins, when you remove the cloth different ornaments are visible on the eggs. Latvian belief says: “The one who eats eggs without salt, will lie all the year.”

Swinging is a Latvian Easter tradition that encourages the rising of the sun: the idea is to swing as high as possible, which also helps to repel insects.

Another belief in Easter is to get up before sunrise which will give health and happiness throughout the year.

On Holy Saturday before Easter people go to the church, they take food: eggs, bread, butter, salt etc., to be blessed by the priest, water and the light are blessed as well. The traditional Easter meal is begun with the food blessed in the church.

Happy Easter!!!

Latvian Comenius team.