April 2012
Easter and its origin
Eostre/Ostara – o této bohyni se praví, že je bohyní východu slunce a jara. Místo, kde vychází slunce (V Angličtině East) je spojené také s jejím jménem. Eastre je považováno za dávné slovo pro jaro.
Eostre – a pagan Anglo-Saxon Goddess
This mythical figure is said to have been the goddess of the sunrise and the spring. She is the Teutonic goddess of the dawn. The direction of the sunrise, East, is named for her. In Norse mythology, the name is spelled Eostare. Another considered the Norse/Saxon goddess of spring is Ostara. Eastre is believed to be an ancient word for spring.
http://www.allabouthistory.org/origin-of-the-word-easter-faq.htm
Czech Republic Easter Symbols
Easter Eggs and kraslice
The hand-painted or otherwise decorated egg (kraslice) is the most recognizable symbol of Czech Easter. Girls decorate Easter eggs to give them to boys on Easter Monday. There are many Easter egg decorating techniques and the more elaborate ones require a certain level of skill. Different materials can be used, such as bee’s wax, straw, watercolors, onion peels, picture stickers. The most common designs are probably geometrical patterns, but you can also see flowers, leaves or snowflake patterns in a whole range of colors. There are no limitations to creating pretty, colorful eggs.
Pussywillow and pomlázka
Young, live pussywillow twigs are thought to bring health and youth to anyone who is whipped with them. An Easter pomlázka (from pomladit or „make younger“) is a braided whip made from pussywillow twigs. It has been used for centuries by boys who go caroling on Easter Monday and symbolically whip girls on the legs. In the past, pomlázka was also used by the farmer’s wife to whip the livestock and everyone in the household, including men and children. There would be no Czech Easter without the pomlázka.
http://www.myczechrepublic.com/czech_culture/czech_holidays/easter/
April 1 – All Fools Day
Vy ještě nevíte, že tučňáci se naučili létat? Opravdu ne?
Tak se podívejte na tohle video.
You don’t know that penguins can fly? Really?
So watch this video below.