Palm Sunday - Christian (March or April)
This day commemorates when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey. The citizens of Jerusalem waved palm branches as a sign of adulation and welcome. Some churches distribute palms to their congregation members on this Sunday.

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Good Friday - Christian (March or April)

Good Friday used to be known as God's Friday because Jesus was crucified on that day. Many Christians reenact the walk Jesus took carrying the cross through the streets of Jerusalem to Calvary. Also many churches hold special services in honor of the occasion.

 

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Songkran - Thailand

This is a celebration of the New Year. This isn't a specific Buddhist festival. This takes place over a number of days in the middle of April and ends on April 15. Boat races, parades, pageants, performances of music and dance are some of the ways the Thai people celebrate.

 

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Ram Navami - Hindu

The god Vishnu was incarnated in 10 different human forms. Rama is the hero of one of India's great epic poems, Ramayana. This was Vishnu's seventh incarnation. People celebrate by reciting stories from the epic poem.

 

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Sechselauten - Switzerland

"Six O'clock Ringing" is the name of Switzerland's spring festival. This two day festival features a children's parade and pastry handed out by bakers. On 6 p.m. of the second day, people go to the town square where a big white figure of winter, stuffed with straw and firecrackers, is lit and people cheer as winter melts away.

 

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Easter - Christian (March or April)

This is the most important day of the year for Christians. Jesus' Resurrection took place on Easter morning. His resurrection promises rebirth for those who believe in Him, offering a final victory over death.

 

Easter is determined by the first Sunday after the first full moon after the first day of Spring. This holiday can occur on any Sunday between March 22 and April 25. Sometimes it comes before Passover.

 

Eggs became associated with Easter because they were a symbol of rebirth. The coloring of the eggs probably came from Persia or Egypt where they colored eggs for their spring festivals.

 

The name Easter could have developed from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon celebration of spring. Eostre was a goddess whose symbol was a hare, thus down through the years, the rabbit became associated with Easter.

What are some of the other symbols of the Easter celebration?

 

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Lambri - Greece

Easter is called "Bright Day" in Greece. Worshippers go to church and the lights are turned out. A priest enters with one lighted candle and says, "The Resurrection of Jesus has taken place!" His candle is used to light all the candles every person holds. At midnight, church bells ring, ships' whistles blow, and firecrackers are lit. People then celebrate by dancing, eating roast lamb, and Easter eggs.

 

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Tyi Wara - Mali

The Bambara people celebrate the gift from the magical being Tyi Wara. He taught the people how to grow and care for crops.

 

The Tyi Wara dance celebrates skillful farming and the asking of his blessing for good crops.

 

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Sham al-Nessem - Egypt

This day set aside to honor spring dates back to the pharaohs. This is the only holiday honored by all sects and religions in Egypt.

 

Picnics, new clothes, specially colored eggs, and a day in the country are some of the ways Egyptians celebrate this day.

 

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Qing Ming - Chinese

This day is used to show respect to their ancestors. The cemeteries are cleared of debris and incense and candles are burned to honor the spirits of the dead.

 

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Sealing the Frost - Guatemala

The Cuchmuatan Indians celebrated this day by lowering a prayer maker over a cliff where they believed "the frost" lived. The prayer maker would seal up the crack in the cliff so that the frost couldn't get out in the spring and kill their corn crops.