15 Easter Traditions That Have Totally Changed Over the Years
Discover how Easter traditions, from bonnets to bunnies, have transformed over the centuries, blending sacred rituals, folklore, and commercial flair into the holiday we know today.
- Alyana Aguja
- 5 min read
Easter, which was once based firmly on religious practice and ancient symbolism, has changed dramatically over the centuries. From dignified sunrise services and hand-dyed eggs to chocolate rabbits and photo-op crafts, traditions have moved from holy to social and commercial. That transformation not only indicates altered customs, but also how culture, technology, and consumerism continue to re-form the way we celebrate.
1. Easter Parade (From Church Processions to Fashion Statements)
Image from The New York Times
From a dignified religious procession in the 1800s, the Easter Parade in New York City was designed to present one’s Sunday finery following church services. In the early 20th century, it became a spectacle for fashion as thousands of people walked along Fifth Avenue to show off elaborate hats and ensembles. Now, it’s essentially a whimsical, family-friendly affair with bonnets of fantasy, selfies, and fewer religious connotations.
2. Easter Eggs (From Pagan Symbols to Plastic Candy Holders)
Image from Veena Azmanov
Easter eggs originated with pagan spring celebrations, representing new life and fertility. Early Christians adopted this custom, and soon, during the Middle Ages, real eggs were decorated for Lent and Easter. Today, most Easter eggs are plastic, filled with candies or toys, and placed in backyard egg hunts—a long way from their symbolic beginnings.
3. Egg Tapping (From Popular Pastime to Specialized Tradition)
Image from Wikipedia
Egg tapping was a common European and Middle Eastern tradition in which players tapped each other’s eggs to determine whose egg would survive the longest. It was competitive and even ritualistic in some societies. Although still practiced in areas such as Louisiana’s Cajun region and parts of Eastern Europe, it’s mostly disappeared from mainstream Easter activities.
4. Dyeing Eggs (From Natural Dyes to Neon Kits)
Image from The Spruce Eats
Humans used to dye eggs with onion skins, beet juice, and other natural materials—a laborious and symbolic process connected to local resources and culture. The 20th century saw mass-produced dye kits, with fizzy tablets and plastic cups the new standard. In recent times, Instagram has brought glitter, marble effects, and even galaxy-themed eggs.
5. Hot Cross Buns (From Religious Ritual to Supermarket Staple)
Image from Wikipedia
These spiced buns with a cross on top were once baked only on Good Friday in strict observance of Christian symbolism. In England, Queen Elizabeth I even passed a law banning their sale except on specific holy days. Now, they’re available in flavors like chocolate chip or apple cinnamon months in advance, a more seasonal treat than a sacred snack.
6. Easter Bunny (From German Legend to Candy Icon)
Image from Easy Drawing Guides
The “Osterhase,” a bunny that judged kids’ behavior and brought them colored eggs, came to America from German immigrants during the 1700s. Eventually, the bunny abandoned its moral responsibilities and concentrated on enjoying and eating treats and chocolate. It’s now a commercial giant, appearing in mall photo shoots and cartoons without connection to its judgmental origins.
7. Easter Feasts (From Fasting Breaks to Buffet Overload)
Image from Down To Earth
Easter Sunday dinner was a humble celebration of the end of Lenten fasting, with lamb or ham at its center. As wealth increased, so did serving size, with whole tables creaking under casseroles, desserts, and side dishes. In recent decades, brunch buffets and takeaway have become a substitute for home-cooked meals in many homes.
8. Sunrise Services (From Spiritual Awe to Declining Attendance)
Image from AL.com
Sunrise services, modeled on Mary Magdalene finding the empty tomb at sunrise, gained popularity among Protestants in the 18th century. They were originally deeply religious, sometimes conducted outdoors in silence. Though still observed, many churches currently indicate declining numbers as families prefer mid-morning or online services.
9. Chocolate Eggs (From Luxury Item to Everyday Candy)
Image from Taste of Home
In 19th-century Europe, chocolate eggs were individually made and precious, an elite gift for the affluent. New technology in mass production by manufacturers such as Cadbury made them ordinary holiday fare. Now, store shelves overflow with anything from empty chocolate shells to giant novelty eggs weeks before Easter.
10. Easter Cards (From Victorian Keepsakes to Digital Afterthoughts)
Image from Baker Ross
Victorians frequently swapped elaborately decorated Easter cards with floral patterns and religious iconography. These were cherished like miniature pieces of art. Nowadays, standard Easter cards have largely been substituted with online greetings, texts, and memes—fast, inexpensive, and transient.
11. Easter Fire (From Sacred Flame to Rare Curiosity)
Image from Wikipedia
In rural areas in Germany and parts of the Netherlands, people in their communities organized giant bonfires on Easter Eve to represent light defeating darkness. It was also a social and religious occasion. Now, this custom lingers on in rural villages, but more as heritage pageantry than spiritual practice.
12. Lamb Cake (From Homemade Tradition to Fading Relic)
Image from Meatloaf and Melodrama
Eastern European and American families once made lamb-shaped cakes to symbolize Christ as the “Lamb of God.” These were lovingly molded by hand using cast-iron pans. Though you’ll still find them in some bakeries, they’re now a nostalgic rarity rather than a widespread Easter dessert.
13. Maundy Thursday Almsgiving (From Royal Ceremony to Token Event)
Image from Britannica
British monarchs once washed the feet of poor people, fed them, and provided them with coins on Maundy Thursday. Now, the Queen (and currently King Charles) presents specially minted “Maundy Money” to chosen pensioners in a formal but otherwise symbolic ceremony. The original humility has been replaced by a ceremonial honor.
14. Egg Rolling (From Pagan Fertility Rite to White House Event)
Image from Foodie Laura
Rolling eggs down hills once symbolized the rolling away of the stone from Jesus’s tomb—or spring rebirth, in older times. The White House Egg Roll started in 1878 and was a nationwide attraction. Nowadays, it’s all about games, storytime, and famous guests rather than any religious or old significance.
15. Basket Giving (From Handmade Wicker to Brand Packaging)
Image from Ubuy Philippines
Easter baskets used to be basic handwoven baskets stuffed with homemade goodies and colored eggs. Today, pre-assembled baskets filled with branded candy and toys overwhelm retail shelves. Some even have themes such as “Super Mario” or “Frozen,” reducing a family tradition to a commercial checklist.