This year I am dressing as a påskkärring, or Easter witch, a beloved Swedish tradition! Kids dress up as witches on Easter Thursday. In Sweden, Easter witches or påskkärringar have been a tradition since the early 19th century. These costumes traditionally consist of: red cheeks and freckles and then, dress in a red scarf and shawl; and, now, a witch hats, too. Unlike the U.K. and Europe, Sweden and Finland largely escaped the impact of the 400 year-old witch hunt. Easter Witch One old Swedish Easter custom might remind many Americans more of Halloween than Easter. On Maundy Thursday or Holy Saturday, Swedish schoolgirls dress up as witches and go door to door begging for sweets or coins. Swedish translation: Påskkäring translates to “Easter Witch” Today this tradition is celebrated on the eve of Easter Sunday, when Swedish children dress up as Påskkärringar (Easter hags). See you in Blåkulla!Visit our WEBSITE! So they dress up as witches so the real witches will stay away. These smiling Swedish Easter witches charm rather than frighten their neighbors, however. If you would like to see some more Vintage Swedish Easter Cards click HERE . Easter like all Christian holidays has pagan roots and the Easter witches tradition is a Pagan and Christian mash-up. påskhäxa (Finland Swedish) ANALYSIS: This is a prime example of a pagan holiday / festival that has taken on a Christian holiday on top of it – it is clear that Easter in Sweden is now an amalgamation of pagan and Christian celebrations. On Maunday Thursday, children dress up as witches and “go witching” to neighboring houses, where they exchange their homemade Easter letters with drawings and greetings for candy and small gifts. 2. Swedes’ biggest candy day is Maunday Thursday. Witch trainee over Swedish woodlands Häxor (witches) Skärtorsdag is the day when witches supposedly travel to Blåkulla (~Blue Hill) to have intercourse with the devil before returning on the night before Easter … Witches are traditional at Easter. One of the quirkiest seasonal ingredients is the ‘påskkärring’ – Easter witch – who take to the streets in groups, knocking on doors to wish residents ‘Glad påsk’ (Happy Easter) and have sweets in exchange for a home-made drawing or Easter … During Easter week, sales of candy in Sweden increase by 50% compared to any other week of the year. Witches still hang around in Swedish Easter traditions, but nowadays we call them ’Easter hags’ (Påskkärringar) and don't fear them anymore. (Easter, folklore) a witch who flies to the island of Blåkulla on a broomstick during Easter (Easter) a child dressed up as such a witch during Easter, walking around the neighborhood knocking on doors, asking for candy or money; Synonyms. 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