The traditional name for Easter Monday is Whipping Monday, because on this day the village boys symbolically whip girls on the legs. Young, live pussywillow twigs are thought to bring health and youth to anyone who is thrashed with them. The braided whip made from pussywillow twigs is called the Easter pomlázka. While whipping the girl, the boy would recite an Easter carol, usually asking for an egg or two. The girl would reward the boy with a painted egg or candy and tie a ribbon around his pomlázka.
The hand-painted or decorated egg (kraslice) is the most recognizable symbol of Czech Easter. Girls decorate Easter eggs to give them to boys on Easter Monday. Easter Sunday (Nedele velikonocní) is a day of preparations for Easter Monday. While the girls are occupied with painting, coloring and decorating eggs, boys prepare their pomlázkas. A nationwide Easter egg contest is held in Prague and other Czech cities around Easter time.
Among traditional Easter cuisine, Czechs eat a type of coffee bread called Babovka. Mazanec is another special Easter food, which is a yeast-raised cake filled with almonds, raisins and citron. A cross is cut into the top of the cake jus before it goes into the oven.
