I bought this lovely embossed Russian Easter postcard on a market stall in Rome some months ago and have been patiently waiting for Easter to come by again in order to share it here on the blog. I was attracted to the delicate hand finishing on the embossed catkins and pink background wash, but wasn't immediately aware that it was an Easter card. Luckily the woman who ran the stall was actually Russian and immediately translated the words "Христос воскрес!" as meaning “Christ is Risen!”
Catkins, of course, are a traditional Easter decoration being the very first signs of new plant life after the winter; as any allergy sufferer will confirm, catkins herald the coming of spring! According to Wikipedia, Russian Orthodox and various other Eastern European peoples also carry pussy willows on Palm Sunday instead of palm branches, blessing both palms and pussy willows in church.
If you'd like to read more about Russian Easter cards there's a wonderful resource here: Russian Easter Postcards.
Check out the Vintage Postcard Store for more Easter postcards
Find more vintage postcards over at Beth's postcard blog The Best Hearts are Crunchy and join other collectors on Postcard Friendship Friday.
Comments