Wales is a land full of unique customs, and so it probably won’t surprise you that it has its own particular Easter traditions. Here are just a few of the charming ancient rituals and events that take place around Wales during this special time of year.

The very early morning mountain trek

On Easter Monday (or Llun y Pasg as it is known in Welsh) it is traditional to make a predawn ascent of one of Wales’ many mountains or hills. The purpose of this is to watch the sunrise, which is seen as symbolic of Christ’s resurrection. The first light may also be celebrated by reflecting the sun in a bowl of water, if the weather allows of course.

At Dinas Bran, a hill with a ruined mediaeval fort atop above Llangollen in north east Wales, it was said to have been traditional to perform three somersaults to celebrate first light on Easter Day. The reasons for this seem to be lost in time, but why not? Trekking up a Welsh mountain to watch the sunrise seems like a lovely thing to do at any time of the year.

Not disturbing the earth

On Good Friday (Y Groglith in Welsh) it is traditional in some areas to walk barefoot to church, in order not to disturb the earth out of respect for Jesus’ burial place. In the town of Tenby in Pembrokeshire, south west Wales, this custom was taken even further by banning all horses and carts from the roads as well.

Fish and fasting

Good Friday is also traditionally a day of fasting and abstinence in Wales, in accordance with the famous biblical quotation when Jesus was tempted by the Devil in the desert: “One does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God” (8:3).

By forgoing the earthly pleasures of food and drink, Christians could appreciate the sustenance of God and religion even more deeply.

As in many countries, fasting is often interpreted in Wales as not eating red meat, and so fish was served as an alternative. This is because eating the flesh of warm blooded animals was deemed inappropriate on Good Friday, the day of Christ’s death.

Fish have long been a symbol of Christianity, and Jesus was said to have cooked a breakfast of fish for his disciples on the morning of his resurrection. For this reason, many Christians still eat fish rather than red meat on Fridays.

Sunday of Flowers

In Welsh, Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Easter) is referred to as ‘Sul y Blodau’ which translates as the Sunday of Flowers. It was traditional to wear new clothes, and to clean the graves of loved ones and adorn them with spring flowers such as daffodils and primroses. Fig pudding may also be served because of the symbolic flowering fig tree.

If you are interested in Christian symbolism, you may enjoy a gift of a Welsh love spoon, which have symbols such as crosses, hearts, and flowers carved into the handle.