The hidden side of Holy Week: the lesser-known myths and beliefs

Holy Week began on Palm Sunday and with it a group of traditions that we launch every year.

From making (and eating) the Easter bagel to hiding chocolate eggs in the garden for the kids to find, there are plenty. activities we do as a family.

But this celebration is also – how could it be otherwise – surrounded by myths and superstitions that have been passed down through the years and generations.

Which are still practiced and which are not? Where are you from? Next, the secrets of the five most recognized myths of Holy Week Catholic.

1-You cannot sweep or hammer in nails on Good Friday

Originally, this curious prohibition pursued two objectives. On the one hand, the idea of ​​not using nails as these objects were essential for the suffering of Christ on the cross. Also, the other intention was avoid attracting to hell because they are supposed to.

As for sweeping, tradition forbade it as it was considered a form of “sweeping the face of Christ”.

Over the time, both customs fell into oblivion.

2-You can’t eat red meat on Good Friday

On Good Friday, Catholics are not allowed to eat any type of red meat. The reason? For faith, this food represents the flesh of Christ. In this sense, also, fasting from this food on this day is a way to honor his sacrifice and be closer to God.

This is one of the few Easter traditions that has lasted over time and is also the origin of the custom of eating fish.

3-At Easter you can’t have sex

According to the myth, everyone who has sexual intercourse during Holy Week they remain glued. It is that it is believed that during this period of reflection, abstinence and pain, being intimate is a sin that must be punished by god.

This belief has become so important for a long time no wedding took place in these days.

4-Don’t wear red clothes

Red is the color of passionof the lust and, at the same time, of devil. For all this, she assured the myth, wearing it in these days of recollection attracted the presence of the devil. This is another of the traditions that has been forgotten.

5-Every Good Friday, hit the trees to make them bear fruit

This is an ancient custom practiced since farmers. On the morning of Good Friday, some planters struck trees because this belief ensured that the one who did this made the tree bear fruit if he had never done it.

Holy Week calendar: its meaning

Palm Sunday. The beginning of Holy Week commemorates Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem. To welcome the “Son of God”, people waved olive branches. For this reason, every Palm Sunday the parishioners bring twigs of this tree to mass to have them blessed and keep them until Palm Sunday of the following year.

Holy Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. During these days we remember the miracles and good works that Jesus performed.

Holy thursday. It is the day of the last supper. When he finished, Jesus went to pray on the Mount of Olives. There, betrayed by Judas, he was captured by the priests and members of the Sanhedrin.

Good Friday. The Passion of Christ is recreated through a Via Crucis (“The way of the cross”, in Latin).

Holy Saturday. It is a day of mourning for believers for the death of Jesus. The Eucharist is not celebrated and the miracle of the resurrection is awaited.

Easter Sunday. It commemorates the moment when Jesus was resurrected, making it an important Christian holiday.