Easter whipping

The braided switch

Participants weave the switches by hand using between four and twenty-four supple willow stems. The finished whips range from fifty centimetres to around two metres in size, with bright fabric ribbons tied to the tip. Different regions use distinct names for the implement: Czechs call it a pomlázka or karabáč, Slovaks say korbáč or šibák, and Hungarians refer to it as a siba or korbács. The word pomlázka shares roots with the idea of restoring youth, while the term korbáč traces back to an old Turkish word for a plaited whip.

Easter Monday visits

The tradition begins on Easter Monday morning when male visitors call on homes in their neighbourhood. Upon entering, callers sing or chant short rhymes asking for painted eggs and celebrating the arrival of spring. They lightly tap the women of the house on the legs with their switches or sprinkle them with water and scent. In exchange for the visit, women present their guests with decorated eggs or small presents. If men arrive late in the day after twelve o'clock, women traditionally turn the tables by dousing them with buckets of cold water.

Meaning and modern views

Folk tradition regards the touch of the willow as a transfer of life force, promising health, beauty, and fertility throughout the coming year. While meant symbolically rather than harshly, the custom draws varied reactions today. A 2019 survey found that sixty percent of Czech households still observed Easter whipping or water splashing. However, modern criticism has grown over physical discomfort, bruising, and heavy drinking. In a 2022 study, seventy-nine percent of Czech women surveyed voiced dislike for the practice, citing pain and embarrassment alongside excessive alcohol intake during the rounds.

Neighbouring customs

Other countries in Central and Eastern Europe observe related Easter customs involving water or fresh greenery. In Poland, people assemble tall Easter palms using pussy willow and floral decorations for religious processions. In Croatia, residents craft switches from olive branches, though these are never used to strike individuals. While sharing themes of spring renewal and seasonal plant life, these neighbouring rituals developed independently from the whipping practices observed across the Czech, Slovak, and Hungarian borderlands.

How Easter whipping is kept

On the morning of Easter Monday, men go from house to house carrying handmade whips crafted from fresh willow branches. Callers chant or sing short verses about eggs, fertility, and generosity before tapping female household members on the legs with the switch. Some choose to spray water or perfume instead. The women present them with hand-painted eggs or other gifts. If male visitors arrive past midday, women retaliate by pouring cold water over them. Some participants put on extra layers of clothing beforehand to cushion the blows.

When and where

The ritual takes place on Easter Monday, beginning in the early morning hours. Its date changes each year following the movable Christian Easter calendar in early spring.

This custom is widely practiced across the Czech Republic and Slovakia, as well as in certain Hungarian communities. Related rituals featuring water or greenery occur in neighbouring Poland and Croatia.

What Easter whipping means

The flexible green willow branches symbolize renewed vitality after winter. Being tapped with the switch is traditionally believed to bestow youth, beauty, good health, and fertility for the upcoming twelve months. The name pomlázka itself derives from the concept of rejuvenation, reflecting the idea of passing the tree's fresh spring energy into the person.

On the table

• Decorated eggs

Questions people ask about Easter whipping

See also

Kupala NightA summer solstice folk festival marked by bonfires, water rituals and herbal gatherings across Eastern Europe.BusójárásA six-day winter carnival of carved wooden masks, folk music, and parades in MohácsKoliadaA traditional winter caroling and solstice festival kept across Slavic EuropeLosarThe Tibetan Buddhist New Year festival of renewal, offerings, and family feasts

Good reading and sources

• Easter whip on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data

It may contain mistakes. Traditions differ from one family, village and community to the next, and the people who keep them know them best. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-04.