[2] The name may also relate to Perchta, mythological or folkloric female guardian of animals, and sometimes leader of the Wild Hunt, since Twelfth Night traditions even in the Spanish Pyrenees can feature visits from a transformed human/animal.

The most likely explanation is offered by the Schweizerisches Idiotikon that considers it derived from Middle High German berhttac or berhteltac, which translated the Greek epiphanias.

In the German-speaking cantons of Zurich and Thurgau as well as some parts of Central Switzerland, families celebrate the holiday with meals at pubs or offered by traditional societies.

The Argovian village of Hallwil holds a mask parade with entries symbolizing fertility, age, ugliness, wisdom, vice, etc.

[4] In the French-speaking Vaud, children celebrate Berchtoldstag with neighborhood parties which include folk dancing and singing.