Last Updated on March 2, 2023 by Kimberlee Johnson
In Switzerland, Easter is a beloved holiday celebrated with great enthusiasm.
Children eagerly anticipate the arrival of a special visitor who is believed to bring them Easter eggs and other goodies.
Well, it’s not the Easter Bunny who brings the eggs, but a different feathery friend. So, what animal brings Easter eggs to children in Switzerland?
Let’s hop right in and discover more about this unique Easter tradition in the country.
What Animal Delivers Easter Eggs To Kids In Switzerland?
The Easter cuckoo brings Easter eggs to children in Switzerland [1].
This traditional Easter symbol represents the country’s rebirth and growth and is believed to bring children luck and good fortune.
The Easter cuckoo is a large white bird with a patch of red feathers on its head, and it is said that it carries a basket of brightly colored Easter eggs in its beak.
“The bird fights its way out of the egg. The egg is the world. Whoever will be born must destroy a world.”
– Hermann Hesse, German-Swiss Poet
Families gather in the village square on the Sunday before Easter to watch the Easter cuckoo fly in from the east.
The children cheer as it circles the village, dropping Easter eggs for the children to collect.
Plus, the eggs are often made of chocolate, and the children eagerly search for them.
It is a beloved tradition passed down through generations and still enjoyed by children in Switzerland today.
But what is the Easter Bunny’s gender?
What Do They Call The Colored Eggs In Switzerland?
The colored eggs found in Switzerland during Easter are called Schweizer Pic-Nic Eir or Swiss picnic eggs.
The tradition of coloring eggs is a popular one in Switzerland, particularly during the Easter season.
It is usually boiled and then dipped into various dyes and paints to create vibrant and unique designs.
Plus, in some parts of Switzerland, it is common to hide colored eggs for children to find as part of Easter celebrations.
Check the Greek translation of “Happy Easter” here.
Why Are The Eggs In Switzerland Colored?
In Switzerland, eggs are not typically colored, but they will turn brown or yellowish, indicating that they are boiled.
Aside from that, the color of an eggshell is determined by the breed of the chicken that laid it and did not have any impact on the nutritional value or taste of the egg.
Some breeds lay eggs with white shells, while others lay eggs with brown or even blue or green covers.
Find out how many jelly beans are produced for Easter every year here.
What Is The Swiss Tradition Of Easter Eggs?
The Easter egg smash, or what the Swiss call “The Eirtütschen,” is a traditional Easter celebration in Switzerland.
It is a fun game that allows children to have some egg-citing fun. On Easter morning, children gather around a table, and each child is given an egg.
At the signal, the children attempt to hit each other’s eggs with their eggs until all the eggs are smashed, and the person with the last unbroken egg is declared the winner.
It is a popular activity, and the children enjoy it.
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Is The Cuckoo A Symbol Of Switzerland?
No, the cuckoo is not the symbol or representation of Switzerland.
However, it is often associated with the country due to the popularity of cuckoo clocks, which feature a mechanical bird that pops out and cuckoos on the hour.
Cuckoo clocks were made in Germany centuries ago and were transported to Switzerland to sell to tourists.
And despite the cuckoo bird clock’s widespread popularity in Switzerland, it is likely to be rejected as the country’s official symbol.
In a strict sense, they serve as a representation of the Easter festival and give eggs to kids.
How Do People In Switzerland Celebrate Easter?
In Switzerland, Easter is celebrated with a parade that includes acrobats, a procession of individuals in cloaks, and the traditional Easter egg hunt.
But aside from that, one of the most significant events is the Easter Mass, held in most churches [2] on Easter Sunday.
After the mass, families gather for a festive meal, which typically includes lamb, ham, and other traditional dishes.
Also Read: 6 Simple Ways To Tell Your Child That The Easter Bunny Does Not Exist
FAQs
Where did the custom of hunting Easter eggs originate?
The custom of hunting Easter eggs is believed to have originated in Germany in the 1600s.
Check out the ways to explain to a 5-year-old about Easter here.
Does the Easter Bunny bring eggs or baskets?
The Easter Bunny is traditionally believed to bring baskets during the night and place it beside the kids’ beds before Easter.
In that way, children will prepare for Easter morning to collect all the eggs and put them in the basket.
Do children in Italy receive eggs from the Easter Bunny?
No, Italy doesn’t have an Easter bunny, meaning children do not receive any eggs or do Easter egg hunts. But they received chocolate eggs filled with gifts during Easter.
Find out when will kids stop believing in Easter Bunny here.
What country only has red Easter eggs?
Red is a common color for Easter eggs in Greece; they call them the lucky red eggs. Greeks painted the eggs red to symbolize the life and blood of Jesus Christ.
Learn more about the translation of “Happy Easter” in Hawaiian here.
Final Words
Easter in Switzerland is celebrated the same way in many other places worldwide, but with one unique difference – the Easter Bunny doesn’t bring the Easter eggs; a cuckoo bird does.
While this might be a strange tradition, it is enjoyed by children in Switzerland and has been going on for many years.
So, if you ever find yourself in Switzerland during Easter, look for a cuckoo bird carrying a basket of Easter eggs.
References:
- https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/europe/switzerland/switzerland-country-guide-travel-holiday-b2132267.html
- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/role-of-the-church
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