A Swedish Easter: The symbols, the food, the traditions...
Easter in Swedish is called “påsk” and comes from the Hebrew word “pesah” meaning passing. Easter in Sweden is decidedly yellow. The yellow color has nothing to do with the liturgical colors for Easter, which are black, white and violet. No, Easter's yellow comes from the fact that many of the symbols we have for Easter seem to be yellow (as opposed to Christmas for instance, which is red): the feathers, the daffodils and the chickens on the Easter cards.
Påskägget The Easter egg (påskägget) is a paper or plastic egg with pictures of chickens on it, which gets filled with candy and is given to children. Since Swedes don’t have an Easter Bunny in their celebration, these eggs are very important to children. But the egg is also the main Easter symbol in that it embodies the message of death and resurrection. The egg’s shell is a symbol of the grave, and what it contains is a symbol of new life, the chicken growing inside eventually opens its own grave and walks out.
Påskris The colorful twigs with feathers (påskris) that you see everywhere in Sweden at this time of year, has less jolly implications. Bound by birch twigs, the påskris was in the 17th century used for Long Friday’s flagellation. Today you buy it at the local market and tie colorful feathers to it. You can also decorate your påskris with blown out eggs that you dye yourself, or you can buy plastic eggs. Roosters, hens, chickens and witches are also used to decorate not only the påskris but your house as well.
Påskkärringar The “påskkärring” or “påskakärring,” is an old tradition that has its roots in the activities of Maundy Thursday. According to folklore, all the world’s bad spirits were let lose the instant Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus. During the 17th century the belief in the devil created witch hunts, and women (mostly) were executed for having participated in the banquet of the devil on Maundy Thursday. Where did it all take place? On the island of Blåkulla (also known as Blå Jungfrun) situated in the Kalmar Strait of the Baltic Sea. The witches flew there on brooms. Swedish children dress up like påskkärringar complete with grandma’s dress, apron and a kerchief tied under the chin, they paint rosy cheeks and freckles on their faces and therefore don’t much resemble the American picture of a witch. A påskkärring also carries a broom, an old-fashioned coffee pot and a basket, and walks around the neighborhood, Halloween-style, giving out drawings in exchange for candy. When this tradition began is hard to tell, it seems it started in western Sweden some time in the beginning of the 1800’s.
The days of Easter week According to the Swedish old customs the special days of Easter, are almost over as we reach Easter Sunday, the one important day for most Americans. Swedes today celebrate Påskdagen [Easter Day] and but for one more Holiday on Monday, "the third day of Easter" in Swedish called Annandag Påsk. Many people in Sweden left their jobs early on Wednesday or Thursday in the week of Easter or took the entire week off. Here, below you'll find a comprehensive list of the different days of the Swedish Easter almanac:
Palmsöndag Palm Sunday opens the Easter week in memory of Christ’s entrance to Jerusalem on a donkey when people spread palm leaves on the ground. Years ago it was difficult to get palm leaves in Sweden, so pussy willow was used instead. And today pussy willow is still used as an Easter decoration.
Svarta måndag In the old days this day was called Black Monday because it was the day when chimneys were swept.
Vita tisdag Tuesday was called White Tuesday because the chimneys had been cleaned and were nice and white.
Dymmelonsdag Exactly why it is called “dymmel” and what a “dymmel" is remains unclear. But on Wednesdays everybody had to be quiet to observe Easter, and a little wooden clapper was put on all the bells of the churches. Such a thing is called a “dymbil” and perhaps that’s why it is called “dymmelonsdag”. Also, the old Nordic word for quiet is “dumb” and it might derive from that.
Skärtorsdag Maundy Thursday in Swedish is called "Skärtorsdag" but has nothing to do with the Swedish color for pink (skär). In this case “skär” is an old word for cleansing and cleaning as Jesus washed the feet of his apostles. Skärtorsdagen is also the day of the Last Supper. It was a dangerous day to be out, because the old spirits had been let loose (when Judas Iscariot betrayed Jesus). Skärtorsdag’s night was the time to get engaged with the devil. He usually appeared at road crossings, and you could sign a contract with him that in exchange for riches, he would get your soul. Contracts like these have actually been found; the people who signed them were executed.
Långfredag Good Friday was of course the day Jesus was crucified. As you can hear in the Swedish word for the day, it was a long (lång) day, and painful. In remembrance of Jesus, fasting was especially important this day, and it has been a holiday in Sweden since the 17th century. Until 1969, public entertainment was prohibited in Sweden.
Påskafton In Sweden “påskafton” is the Christmas Eve of Easter, a day for feasting and eating. After a week of fasting and seriousness, it is time for “påsksmällare” (Easter crackers) and “påskeldar” (Easter fires). This was also the day for the “påskkärringar” to return from Blåkulla. Not too long ago, Swedes would write “påskkort” (Easter cards) to each other, and children would make drawing of witches, chickens and eggs along with a little verse. This tradition is rapidly disappearing.
Påskdagen Church bells chimed again on “påskdagen” and the organs in the church played. An old tradition was to go out early on Easter Sunday and watch the sun dance, which, people believed, it did out of happiness that Christ was resurrected.
Food for Easter Each region or “landskap” in Sweden has its own traditions when it comes to what to eat for Easter, but most of the dishes include eggs, lamb and salmon. Unlike the food we eat for Christmas, Easter food is much lighter and almost always includes marzipan and candy-filled Easter eggs for dessert. There’s also the “påskbord” (Easter smorgasbord) with eggs, pickled herrings, salmon and Jansson’s temptation. “Påskmust” is also sold in stores; it’s the same soft drink as “julmust.”
Marzipan egg recipe Making eggs out of marzipan isn’t that difficult. All you need is basic marzipan.
Ingredients for Basic Marzipan
2 cups sugar
1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar
4 cups ground almonds (or almond meal)
2 egg whites
powdered sugar for dusting
1. Prepare a workspace by sprinkling powdered sugar over a marble slab, wooden cutting board or large baking sheet. Fill your sink or a large bowl with cold water.
2. Place the sugar and 2/3 cup water in a large heavy saucepan and heat gently, stirring, until the sugar dissolves.
3. Add the cream of tartar and turn up the heat. Bring to a boil and cover, boiling for 3 minutes.
4. Uncover and boil until the temperature reaches soft-ball stage, 240 degrees on a candy thermometer.
5. Place the bottom of the saucepan in the cold water you’ve prepared, stirring the sugar mixture constantly until it becomes thick and creamy.
6. Stir in the ground almonds and the egg whites, then place back over low heat and stir for 2 minutes more until the mixture is thick.
7. Spoon the marzipan onto your prepared work surface, and turn it with a metal spatula until it cools down enough to touch.
8. Coat your hands in powdered sugar and begin to knead the marzipan, working it until it is smooth and pliant.
9. Your marzipan can be used immediately or stored by wrapping it in plastic wrap and keeping it in an airtight container.
Now that you have marzipan you can make påskägg (Easter eggs) or other figures with a little bit of yellow food dye and baking chocolate (approximately 100 g). Melt the chocolate. Just use a few drops of the food dye. Shape little eggs of the marzipan, then dip in melted chocolate. Let cool in the fridge.
