From Luxembourg bird whistles to Mexican confetti, from the Australian bilby to Jamaican buns... Easter reveals an incredible diversity of rites, flavours and symbols. Whether celebrating renewal, faith, nature or simply the love of chocolate, this festival crosses borders with its share of fantasies.

In Luxembourg, play host every Easter Monday to a unique tradition: the Péckvillercher, little clay whistling birds, handcrafted and prized by collectors.

The origin of the Péckvillercher--small clay whistles in the shape of birds, emblematic of Luxembourg’s popular heritage--dates back to at least the 19th century, if not earlier. The name comes from Luxembourgish pécken (to peep) and villchen (little bird), recalling both their appearance and their characteristic sound. Historically, these whistles were made by potters in the region, particularly in Nospelt, using the clay left over after their main production. Originally simple children’s toys, over time they became festive objects, and even collectors’ items.

The Péckvillercher are closely associated with the Émaischen festival, celebrated every Easter Monday in Luxembourg City and Nospelt. To mark the occasion, visitors often buy pairs of these whistles, a symbol of friendship or love, and let their joyful notes resound through the streets. Today, the tradition has been enriched: each year sees the creation of new models, ranging from the simplest to the most artistic.

After almost disappearing during the 19th century, the art of the Péckvillchen has been successfully revived, becoming a living symbol of Luxembourg’s attachment to its craft roots.

But elsewhere? What are the customs? How is Easter celebrated?

Poland, Slovakia, Hungary: the battle for water

The Śmigus-Dyngus (or “wet Easter Monday”) consists of... sprinkling water on your loved ones. It’s a car wash version of spring blessing. The tradition has its roots in ancient pre-Christian rites celebrating the return of spring and fertility. Water is a symbol of purity, vitality and good health. In Hungary, they prefer perfume and sprinkle eau de Cologne. This is known as “ocsolkodás.” It’s certainly more refined, but you still get wet.

Greece: duels of red eggs

The eggs are boiled beforehand, dyed bright red and each guest challenges the other by tapping their egg against their neighbour’s. The egg that remains intact makes it into the next round, and the egg that wins the duel is supposed to bring good luck. The colour blood symbolises the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross.

Germany: eggs in the trees

On the other side of the Rhine River, we don’t hide eggs. On the contrary, they are put on display. Symbols of the arrival of spring, the Osterbaum (Easter trees) are decorated with a swarm of colourful eggs. In Saalfeld, one couple has hung more than 10,000 hand-painted eggs on their apple tree, from the mid-1960s to the mid-2010s. It’s perhaps the most famous tree in the country.

United States: a presidential version

Every Easter Monday, children are invited to take part in the White House Easter Egg Roll, an egg race on the White House lawn. Created in 1878, it is a high-profile event with mascots, stars and pop-culture decorated eggs. According to CNN, this year the traditional giant egg hunt will be funded by sponsors, whose logos will be visible in the White House gardens. Is this because of soaring egg prices across the Atlantic?

Mexico: a shower of confetti

Cascarones are empty eggs filled with confetti and small toys, which are broken over the heads of friends for good luck. It’s a joyful, colourful mess that turns the streets into a battle of the glitterati. The piñata is never far away.

Sweden and Finland: an air of Halloween

Children dress up as Easter witches with worn-out costumes, brooms and smeared cheeks, then go and ring doorbells begging for sweets. This is påsk-kärring (literally “the old lady of Easter”), a folkloric blend of springtime rites and Christian traditions.

France: giant omelette

At Bessières, in the southwestern French department of Haute-Garonne, a giant omelette is cooked for 10,000 people. More than 15,000 eggs are broken by hand. Legend has it that Napoleon, passing through the region with his army, tasted an omelette at an inn in this commune of 4,000 inhabitants and liked it so much that he ordered a huge one to be prepared for his soldiers, requisitioning all the eggs available in the village. The tradition has endured since 1973.

Switzerland: the cuckoo announces spring

In some regions, children are told that it is the cuckoo--who returns in spring (and thus symbolises renewal)--that lays the chocolate eggs in the gardens or hides them in the house.

Jamaica: the sound of reggae and the taste of a bun

Easter rhymes with music, spirituality and gourmet delights. Jamaicans celebrate Good Friday with gospel concerts and enjoy an Easter bun. This is a sweet bread with candied fruit served with cheddar cheese. Confusing but addictive, according to the strongest stomachs. The tradition dates back to colonial times, inspired by the British “hot cross bun,” a sweet bread roll marked with a white cross and served on Good Friday.

Australia: the rabbit banned, long live the bilby

The Easter bunny has a bad reputation here: introduced in the 19th century, rabbits wreaked havoc on the ecosystem. The result: make way for the bilby, an adorable marsupial with large ears, an elongated snout and a two-tone tail. Endangered, the bilby has become the emblematic animal of Easter. Chocolate factories even produce chocolate specimens to support environmental protection associations.

Ethiopia: strict fasting and an explosion of joy

Celebrated according to the Orthodox calendar, the Ethiopian Easter (Fasika) marks the end of a 55-day fast without meat or dairy products. At midnight, the churches are filled with songs, candles and traditional lamb dishes. Vibrant faith... and festive.

Philippines: total devotion

In the Philippines, some worshippers take part in re-enactments of the Passion of Christ, going so far as to have themselves nailed to crosses in a spectacular display of fervour. It’s a tradition that is as impressive as it is controversial. Compared to this, our eggs and little terracotta birds from Luxembourg seem quite harmless.

This article was originally published in .