Czech Pomlázka (a special handmade whip)
The
German Schmeckostern: the beatings given to each other on Easter Monday and
Tuesday by men and women in parts of Germany and Slavic countries to bring them good luck,
protect them from vermin, and keep them young and healthy and, “green."
The
men beat the women on Easter Monday, the women beat the men on Easter Tuesday.
The
beatings are commonly given with birch branches, especially branches just sprouted,
or sometimes with cherry, or with a willow switch. The new young life inherent in
the sprouting branch is thus bestowed upon the one beaten with it.
(All
in great fun of course!)
Leach,
Maria. Funk & Wagnalls Standard Dictionary of Folklore: Mythology and
Legend. New York, NY: Funk & Wagnalls, 1972. Print. In Reference
Collection on Main Floor: R 398.042 F982.
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