Easter isn’t just about new traditions like eating chocolate eggs or going to watch professional football.
There are many older rituals which millions still stick to every year, even if they rarely step inside a church.
A favourite is swerving meat on Good Friday and eating fish instead, which is why - when we're not on lockdown - you'll find huge queues outside the North East's best chippies.
Popular North East chippies like Seaton Sluice’s Harbour View, Gormans in Newcastle and Colmans in South Shields typically enjoy bumper trade on Good Friday, and not just because people are off work and can’t be bothered to cook.
For years, Christians have refused to eat meat on Good Friday, with some - especially Catholics - sticking to the ban every Friday throughout the year. Many nonbelievers still eat fish on a Friday as a national tradition.
Why do people avoid meat and poultry on Good Friday?
According to Christianity, Jesus was executed on Good Friday, and died for our sins. In doing so, he sacrificed his flesh.
This is why the Church encourages followers to abstain from meaty flesh on the anniversary of Christ’s death.
So why do we eat fish on Good Friday?
Fish, as it comes from the sea, is perceived to be a different kind of flesh, therefore it’s OK to eat it.
Fish shapes were used as a secret symbol for Christians to identify each other when their religion was banned, and many of Christ’s closest followers were fishermen too.
What else has been banned on Good Friday?
Historically, gambling was banned in Britain on Good Friday, until 2008 when betting shops were given permission to open up on the holiday.
And there was no racing on the same day until 2014.
In Ireland, it was all but impossible to buy a drink on Good Friday when the pubs are open. Traditionally, the Irish abstain on that day, with bars and shuts ordered not to sell booze.
