Easter water (tradition)

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The walk to the Easter water , original drawing by Willy Stöwer

As Easter water is water which according to an old called, folk custom in the Easter Vigil or on Easter morning is drawn before the rising of the sun from a source, a stream or a river. According to popular belief, this water, like the March water , should last for a particularly long time and not rot. It is also said to give particularly fine skin when you wash with it and help with eye diseases.

The water was mainly drawn by young, unmarried women. The way to the water extraction point and back had to be covered in silence and, according to some springs, also unobserved so that the water did not lose its effect.

The invigorating effect of the water should also come to the fore by washing in this water at the source, stream or river. Even cattle were driven into the watering holes on Easter morning to wash and avoid disease. Alternatively, people and cattle were sprinkled with the water.

The custom dates back to pagan times.

The water is regarded as the primal symbol of life and fertility.

The baptismal water , which is consecrated in the liturgy of the Catholic Church during the celebration of the Easter vigil , is also known as Easter water. The priest sprinkles the community with this water . It is used for baptisms throughout the following year .

In Australia, bridal couples keep the Easter water consecrated on the last Easter festival until the wedding day and sprinkle it on themselves when going to church for the wedding. This is said to bring happiness to the marriage.

“Easter water, water from a river which is tacitly drawn in the night from Easter evening to the first day of Easter, especially the morning before the sun rises, and which superstitious people believe is not only good for long, but also to give a fine skin. See in Art. Märzwasser , Th. 85, p. 156. Hierbey should also be noted that the discovery has been made that any pure, sweet water that is drawn from a river before the sun rises does not rot device, but remains drinkable; however, this water must be kept in shady places.
S. Fahner's magazine of popular pharmacy. I. 16.
Basement's Tomb of Superstition. 5 u. 6th St. p. 294. "

- Economic encyclopedia by JG Krünitz, 1773 to 1858

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