Good Friday isn’t just about solemn prayers—it’s a day of fascinating, sometimes surprising, traditions worldwide. From flying kites to whipping up "hot cross bun" battles, let’s explore the quirkiest and most heartfelt ways people mark this holy day.
Good Friday, the Friday before Easter, is one of Christianity’s most solemn days, commemorating Jesus Christ’s crucifixion. While many observe it with prayer, fasting, and church services, some cultures have traditions that might just surprise you.
From the deeply reverent to the downright unusual, let’s take a global tour of Good Friday customs you probably didn’t know about.
Who knew Good Friday could be so… airborne? In Bermuda, locals celebrate with a kite-flying festival!
Legend says a Sunday school teacher once struggled to explain Christ’s ascension, so he launched a kite shaped like a cross. Today, Bermudians craft vibrant, often hexagonal kites, symbolizing Christ’s rise. Families gather on beaches, flying kites against the ocean breeze—a beautiful mix of reverence and joy.
In Antigua, Guatemala, Good Friday transforms the streets into a giant, fragrant masterpiece.
Locals spend hours creating alfombras—intricate carpets made of dyed sawdust, flowers, and pine needles—along procession routes.
These stunning artworks are walked over by solemn parades reenacting Christ’s Passion. The blend of artistry and devotion is breathtaking.
In Sicily’s town of Trapani, a 24-hour marathon procession takes place.
The Misteri (Mysteries) involves 20 lifelike wooden statues from the 1700s, each depicting a scene from Christ’s Passion. Carried through the streets by devoted bearers, the slow, rhythmic march is a mesmerizing blend of art, history, and faith.
Brits love their hot cross buns—spiced sweet buns with a cross on top—but did you know they were once believed to have magical powers?
In some Spanish towns, thousands of drummers fill the streets—but not a word is spoken.
La Tamborada is a haunting, rhythmic procession where participants drum continuously from midnight on Holy Thursday until Good Friday evening. The eerie, synchronized sound symbolizes mourning and solemnity.
In Poland, an unusual tradition sees grandmothers delivering the sermon in some villages.
After the priest reads the Passion story, elderly women take over, sharing reflections, laments, and even scolding the congregation for their sins! It’s a rare moment where community wisdom takes center stage.
Good Friday is more than a day of mourning—it’s a living, breathing tradition shaped by culture, history, and local quirks. Whether it’s flying kites in Bermuda or crafting flower carpets in Guatemala, each ritual adds a unique thread to the global tapestry of faith.
