Clean Monday (Kathari Theftera/Καθαρά Δευτέρα) is the first day of Greek Orthodox Lent and occurs at the beginning of the 7th week before Greek Orthodox Easter Sunday. Clean Monday refers to the leaving behind of sinful attitudes and non-fasting foods such as meat, fish, milk, cheese, yogurt, eggs. Shellfish, lagana (λαγάνα) bread baked only on that day, taramosalata, boiled shrimp, halva, etc. are eaten instead.
Traditional customs include flying kites and making a paper doll with seven legs, called "Kyra Sarakosti," Lady Lent, for the seven weeks of Lent. Each week, a leg is removed to show how many weeks remain until Easter.
