#easter fire

Like with every cultural celebration, every country or parts of it have their own traditions. Easter is no exception on it.

De Poasboake - The Easter bonfire is a centuries-old tradition in which large fires are lit around Easter, particularly in the east and north of the Netherlands. Large piles of trees, pallets, branches, and other flammable material – known as Easter mounds – are then set ablaze. 

Historically the tradition has Germanic Pagan roots which existed throughout Europe for centuries , from Denmark in the north to Switzerland and Austria in the south. The Netherlands marks the western boundary of this region. Today it is still celebrated in large parts of Denmark, Germany and the north and east of The Netherlands

It is believed that the tradition of Easter bonfires originated in the time of the Germanic peoples. The fires were lit to make an offering to the goddess Ostara. The fire symbolized fertility and a new beginning. Presumably, the participants celebrated heartily, with plenty of drink involved. In the past, these kinds of celebrations took place on individual farms, but in later times, Easter bonfires began to be organized by neighborhood or village.

The flames and smoke of the fire symbolized the bringing of fertility. For this reason, Easter is sometimes regarded as a fertility festival.

Christianity incorporated and adopted the custom of the Easter bonfire during the time of the Reformation and the Renaissance . In 1559, Christian sources mention the burning of trees and wood during Easter for the first time. Though a century later on the Protestant church attempted to ban the Easter bonfires due to their pagan origins, but failed doing so. Since then the Church decided to Christianize the tradition, though acquiring a new symbolism: : that of the victory over death through Christ's resurrection at Easter. In this context, the fire symbolizes a new beginning and a new life, just as fire symbolized fertility among the Germanic peoples.

In the Netherlands Easter Fires are for the main part organized in villages where Low Saxon is spoken. The name 'Poasboake' is the dialect version of the Dutch word 'Paasvuur'. It means literally Easter Beacon, a Beacon of Easter fires along the villages. In the Netherlands most famous are the Easter Fires surrounding Holten in the province Overijssel.

Espelo, a village with only 370 inhabitants, competes with surrounding villages year-round at Easter to build the highest fire. On April 6, 2012, Espelo made it into the Guinness Book of Records with an Easter bonfire of no less than 45.98 meters in height. As many as 40,000 spectators witnessed the successful record attempt. For several years now, this tradition has been on the list of intangible cultural heritage.

Over the years as these celebrations grew larger, regulations were put in place to protect the environment, only pruning waste may be burned and safety regulations regarding the place or the risks due to drought or fire hazard. In principle, open fires are prohibited in the Netherlands. However, municipalities generally grant an exemption for Easter bonfires, provided certain conditions are met.

sources: 1 , 2

Vrolijk Pasen - Happy Easter for those who celebrate

“On White/Holy Saturday in churches, the so-called new fire was lit, originating from the pre-Christian tradition of the so-called spring fires, which were later accepted into the official church system. The new fire was lit by kindling in the open air, and together with it, the wood was also lit, which was burned in its flames. From the logs and charred embers, the farmers then carved crosses, which they put in the fields or behind the roof of their homes.”

I stripped the leaves from my hazel “palms” from Palm Sunday and used them for my White Saturday fire. I poured pine oil over the twigs and it smelled amazing.

“A large number of customs on Easter Sunday focused on the protection and future fertility of the fields. Easter was close to the first spring plowing and sowing, and so the folk customs of these days also preserved numerous remnants of the ancient cult of the earth. An interesting custom is documented, for example, from Jemnický, where they stuck consecrated rods in the fields for the Easter holiday, in front of which they built crosses made of burnt logs [from the White Saturday fires?].”

“On the morning of Easter Sunday, dishes were blessed. The most common of these included salt for everyday consumption, which was generally given the greatest importance.”

I don’t have any fields to bless, so on Easter I made a small cross for my altar from some of the charred remains and together with some salt consecrated them in a little ritual at the creek.

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Happy Easter to all my mutuals who celebrate it. I hope you had a busy Easter bunny and did a great Easter hunt. Let me know which traditions you took part in.

I went to see our local Easter fire where they burnt old Christmas trees. It was spectacular!

It's a custom in Northern Germany that big bonfires (Osterfeuer) are lit around sunset on Holy Saturday (some towns also light them on Sunday) as part of liturgical and cultural celebrations. Easter fires date back to the 8th century and developed from a secular tradition, presumably of Germanic or pagan origin.

In Germany (and I think the Netherlands), lighting a small fire has also become part of the Easter Vigil liturgy. After the congregation has gathered around the Easter fire, the priest lights the Easter candle from the fire, which, after its blessing, is carried into the darkened church as a light. The burning candle symbolises Christ as the light of the world. Just as the Israelites once followed the pillar of fire through the desert, so the faithful follow Jesus Christ on the path from death to life.

I've been at an easter fire yesterday and I will be at another one tonight too.

Easter fires are an old german tradition.

We do these to say goodbye to winter and welcome the warmer season of the year. And it always happens the day before easter and some communities do these on easter day as well.

Some people love it, some not so much.

I am between them. I don't really like it because everything smells horribly and it's not really good for nature but on the other hand it's a tradition that's been going on for decades. I am torn between liking and disliking it 😅

I don't know if easter fires only take place in Germany or if they are done in other countries too.

I doubt anyone has interest, but I'll try anyway, even If I know I won't get anyone answering my question but: do you want me to share the easter fire i'll be visiting today with you?

Easter Fire in Gatow    -   Peter Hengst , 2013.

Dutch , b. 1963  -