What is the Easter Fire in Germany, and why is it lit? The Easter Fire, or Osterfeuer, symbolizes light in the darkness. It can be as simple as lighting a candle or as big as the bonfires ignited all over Germany at Easter. Because fire symbolizes the light of renewal, it signifies the end of Winter and the coming of spring. It also represents Jesus Christ as the Light of the world. Depending on the community, the Easter fire is lit on Good Friday or Black (Holy) Saturday, with Saturday being more common, and extinguished on Easter Sunday or Monday.
What is the Origin of the Easter Fire in Germany?
And how did the Easter Fire start?
The Easter Fire has been a tradition in Germany for hundreds of years. In Christian tradition, the Easter fire starts with the lighting of a Paschal candle, usually by a Priest or Pastor, to symbolize the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The candle is generally lit on Holy (Black) Saturday to start the Easter Vigil. Parishioners can then light their candles from this candle. The large Paschal candle is kept lit through the Easter Season. In some churches, it stays lit until Ascension Day or is used throughout the year for baptisms.
However, a much older tradition behind the Easter fires comes from the pre-Christian Saxon tradition. The Venerable Bede writes about the Anglo-Saxon tradition of lighting fires in Eosturmonath (April) in honor of the Germanic goddess Ostara. Bonfires at this time of year help the Earth to usher in Spring and banish the cold and dark of Winter. The fires were also considered a symbol of fertility and rebirth. Farmers spread the ashes from the Easter fires on their fields to fertilize the soil and ensure good crops for the coming year.
What is the Easter Fire in Germany Today?
Today, Easter bonfires in Germany have lost much of their religious meaning and tend to be social events. Friends and family come together with neighbors around a fire, and it’s a party with food and drink. Depending on where you are in Germany, you can light your own bonfire, while in other areas, bonfires are built and monitored by the local fire department.
More recently, the Osterfeuer Easter Fires have evolved into small Volkfests. Booths sell snacks near the fire, and some communities even have rides for the kids!
Fires are generally left lit until dawn on Easter Morning, although, in some places, they continue burning until Easter Monday, which is a National Holiday in Germany.
Great post, never heard about this Easter Fire before so this made an interesting read to me. The best thing is that we can have our own easter fires too.
You can! just … don’t burn the house down.
I had read where the Easter fire was lit by the remains of the Yule log…which once the Yule log was lit it was kept burning all winter until it could be used for that purpose. I can’t find that info now!!!!
YOu have me searching for that too… I’ll update the post if I find a source for this