Easter Monday

Easter Monday History

Easter Monday commemorates the day of Christ's resurrection. It is honoured as a special day worldwide, marking the ending part of the Easter festivities. Although varied in significance across different cultures, in many Western Christian denominations, Easter Monday is often observed as a day of reflection and rest following the solemnities and jubilations of Easter Sunday.

Historically, Easter Monday had its roots in medieval times, with customs such as "lifting" where men would lift women on Easter Monday, and the women would return the favour on the next day. The day also has an important association with sports, with games played on Easter Monday dating back to the 19th century. Special fixtures are often scheduled in football leagues across the country on this day.

In the modern day, United Kingdom residents often celebrate Easter Monday as a continuation of Easter festivities. Traditions often involve Easter egg hunts, church services, and spending quality time with family. It typically serves as a day to relax and enjoy a day off work for many, given it's a designated public holiday. The specific date of Easter Monday changes each year as it is determined by the ecclesiastical approximation of the March equinox. It always falls on the day after Easter Sunday, which lands somewhere between March 22 and April 25.

Top facts about Easter Monday

• The Paschal full moon dictates the date of Easter every year. The Paschal full moon, in the Gregorian Calendar, means that Easter falls on the first full moon after the spring equinox, or March 21.
• Holy Week is the celebrated during the week leading up to Easter. It begins on Palm Sunday, continues on Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and ends on Easter Sunday. Not all countries include Easter Monday into their Holy Weeks.
• Easter Monday was once considered an unlucky day in the UK. Superstition warned against starting a new job or any new venture on Easter Monday, or the rest of the year would be filled with bad luck.
• In the past, Easter Monday was the time for "lifting" or "heaving." Men would lift women on Easter Monday, and women would lift men on Easter Tuesday. This was done by lifting the person three times, often in a chair, as a symbol of Jesus’s resurrection.

In the News and Trending in the UK for Easter Monday

Easter Monday Top Things to Do

• If the weather permits, gather your friends and family for a picnic or outdoor barbecue. Enjoy some delicious food and engage in fun outdoor games or activities.
• Spread awareness on social media by using the hashtags #EasterMonday, #Easter, #Pascha and #EasterEggs.
• Bottle licking is an ancient, traditional game played in Hallaton, Leicestershire on Easter Monday. The objective is to move two bottles across a boundary line through a rugby-style scrum.
• A lot of families take advantage of the holiday to go to the zoo or local farm. Some farms organize petting sessions with baby animals born in the spring.