Palm bushes

A colorful bouquet brings protection to house and home

Seven different pieces of wood are tied together and decorated with colorful embrasures

(Bild: Holitzky Roland)

Consecrated palm bushes are Easter decorations and bringers of salvation. Seven pieces of wood on sticks and colorful ribbons herald the start of Holy Week - in anticipation of Easter.

The days are getting longer, the trees are greener and Palm Sunday is just around the corner: the people of Salzburg get in the mood for the highest Christian holiday with palm bushes. For the Sunday before Easter, branches of seven local woods are traditionally tied together and decorated with colorful shavings or ribbons. Children often blow out eggs, paint them and decorate the bush with them. After being blessed by a Catholic priest on Palm Sunday, these palm bushes can be seen on sticks from the hazelnut tree in front of and in Salzburg's houses and gardens.

In addition to the fluffy palm catkins, boxwood, yew, holly, thuja, juniper and cedar are collected and used. The custom, which was revived in the city 30 years ago, is intended to ward off evil and bring a good harvest. In the countryside, the palm bushes are also found in the stables, where they are said to bring fertility. It is hoped that this will protect the farm, fields and animals. Hildegard Schirlbauer from Salzburger Heimatwerk has an explanation as to why the palm bushes are still tied today: "Humans are creatures of habit. Traditions help in times of crisis because people remember the festivals and look forward to them."

Palm bush tying increases the anticipation of Easter and - after six weeks of deprivation - of breaking the fast soon. When the palm bushes are consecrated on Palm Sunday, it heralds the start of Holy Week and Easter is not far away. "For me, tying palm bushes is a return to tradition. And there's something sociable about it," enthuses Schirlbauer.