The celebration of Spring

Spring conjures the thoughts of warm sunshine, pink cherry blossoms in full bloom, the sweet fragrance of wild dandelions and the gentle caress of a breeze against a ruddy cheek. There is an undeniable magic and romance about spring that encourages even one with the stiffest upper lip to throw caution in the wind, don wild flowers and join in the merry-making.

Spring is celebrated throughout the world by people from various cultures and backgrounds. In the west, the Spring is celebrated as May Day which marks the first day of summer, a cause for dance and festive music. Equally important in the east, the Spring festival is one of the biggest celebrations in Japan, where the people hold and participate in wide-scale parades and gatherings.

Easter Sunday

One of the most important celebrations for Christians around the world during Spring is Easter Sunday, to honour the life, death and resurrection of Christ. Easter is a happy and joyous occasion as it marks the day people witnessed Jesus’ return to life. This would be synonymous with the significance of the Spring festival which is ultimately a celebration of nature’s rebirth, when flowers blossom and fruits are in abundance.

In the UK, Easter is the oldest and most important Christian Festival. On Sunday morning, all Christians will gather for a Sunrise Service, where they witness a beautiful sunrise on a hill side. Being a time of remembrance. Sunday church services and prayers will be held in the morning before the start of festivities. Candles in the church will be lit by worshippers, particularly, the Paschal candle which is decorated with studs to symbolize Christ’ wounds.

Also a perfect day for fun and laughter, there are many traditional games and customs which have been passed down over the years in England that are still adhered to by many today such as rolling hard-boiled eggs down hillsides, egg knocking, performing traditional village plays and decorating eggs. Most popular among these games, perhaps, is the hunt for Easter eggs which will be hidden all over the garden and house on Sunday morning, much to the delight of the children.