Easter in Latvia

Nowadays, the common date of Lieldienas is the first Sunday after the first full moon, after or during the vernal equinox.

Thus, the Western Christian Church Lieldienas falls on a date between 22 March and 25 April.

Before the arrival of Christianity, Lieldienas was a spring equinox event, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.

People believed that particular magical power was inherent even in water, which boiled eggs.

They believed it helped to ward off hawks from chickens: the swishing sauna whisks were hooked between the fence poles on Lieldienas morning and were filled with water which was used to boil eggs.

Eggs also involved in a lot of other beliefs: Hanging swings and selecting a place was a special honorable duty.

Young boys went to the neighboring houses, searching for Lieldienas eggs.

For example, one belief says "do not work for 4 days of Lieldienas - children from other houses will begin to limp".