Easter in China

In China, Easter is only a special holiday for the Catholics, Orthodox and most established Christian churches. Millions of Christians celebrate in some fashion. But most people don't observe it or believe in the resurrection at all, and other millions of Chinese have taken up Western children customs such as Easter eggs hunts just for the fun or novelty. Here is how the people celebrate Easter in the Mainland China and Hong Kong.

How people celebrate Easter varies widely. For Christians, the point of Easter is to commemorate Christ’s resurrection from the dead three days after crucifixion. Some of the established churches with buildings treat it like a mini Chinese New Year complete with red paper slogans called chūnlián (春联) on the church building and in the homes, special bands or music, and special decorations.

Christian and Commercial Easter

At those established churches with buildings, Easter eggs might be given as gifts or sold outside the church, and everyone attends a special mass or service. The official Chinese Catholic churches are among those with big celebrations. In them, new Catholics are also traditionally baptized on Easter. In recent years, there has been a big jump in Catholic baptisms in Catholic churches on Easter. Chinese Catholic Churches don't have an official connection to the Pope.

However, smaller home groups might celebrate as family or friends quietly or even secretly saying simple prayers and talking about the resurrection of Jesus.

Non-Christians might take the opportunity to make special foods like Easter eggs to sell, and some malls in China, following the Western custom, might have special Easter sales in order to try to spur profits.