Of Bunnies and Such
by How the traditions of the Easter Bunny, Easter Baskets and Easter Eggs started.
Image via Wikipedia
By the belief of most Christians and according to the New Testament, Jesus was crucified on the eve of Passover and three days later arose from his tomb. Easter Sunday is celebrated to commemorate Christ’s resurrection.
So from such a deeply religious holiday, how did a rabbit, colored eggs and baskets become a tradition?
The Easter Bunny
Image via Wikipedia
As a mythical character depicted as an anthropomorphic rabbit, the Easter Bunny seems to have its origins in Alsace and southwestern Germany. He was first mentioned in German writings in the 1600’s.
The Easter Bunny brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy and toys to good children the night before Easter. He is very similar in his traits to his winter counterpart, Santa Claus.
The Easter Bunny has its origins in pre-Christian fertility folklore. Since the Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known they served as symbols of the new life the Spring season brought forth.
The “Oschter Haws” later renamed the Easter Bunny was introduced to American children by German settlers in the Pennsylvania Dutch country in the 1700’s. German children believed that if they were good the “Oschter Haws “would lay a nest of colored eggs for them. It was considered the greatest pleasure of childhood, second only to a visit from Christ-Kindel or Santa Claus on Christmas Eve.
Easter Baskets
Photo by PR Mace
Since the Easter Bunny was going to lay colored eggs for good boys and girls they needed a nest for them.
According to German tradition, children needed to build brightly colored nests. Caps, hats and bonnets were decorated with ribbons, fresh grass and flowers and hidden in secluded places in the home, barn or garden.
The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come much later as the tradition of the Easter Bunny spread throughout the country.
Easter Eggs
Photo by PR Mace
Eggs by their very nature are symbols of fertility. As for the legend of the Easter Bunny laying eggs, many explanations have been past down though history, but the exact origins are unknown.
The precise origin of the ancient custom of coloring eggs is not known. But it seemed to have started with eastern Christians who would dye their Easter Eggs red, the color of blood. This was to symbolize the blood Christ sacrificed for their sins. Green was also commonly used, in honor of the new green foliage emerging after the long dead time of winter.
So no matter if you celebrate Easter for the resurrection of Christ, the tradition of the Easter Bunny or both, it is a symbol of rebirth.
Wishing you all a happy and blessed Easter.
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Post Commentpapaleng
On March 23, 2009 at 5:12 am
very informative article. Thanks for sharing Pam.
Daisy Peasblossom
On March 23, 2009 at 5:48 am
Good info, well written.
Nicholas Kenney
On March 23, 2009 at 9:21 am
Happy Easter to you and Craig! Nicely done Pam…
Kate Smedley
On March 23, 2009 at 3:08 pm
That’s a lovely article Pam, thank you for sharing.
CHAN LEE PENG
On March 23, 2009 at 10:40 pm
Happy Easter, my friend! BTW, I like the rabbit Bunny, it’s cute.
Alicia Wind
On March 24, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Good information…, i waanna tell it to everyone i know during easter..
Vickie C Jordan
On March 25, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Wow, PR, I didn’t know this! Thanks for the heads-up on Easter traditions. Myself, I celebrate the ressurection of Jesus!!! Its nice to know how others think of this day tho.
Thanks for sharing your research! Great Job and love the pics!
Bo Russo
On April 10, 2009 at 4:29 pm
That was cool Pam,I didn’t know these facts either.I only knew the rebirth of Jesus part of it.I always thought it was funny that a bunny brought eggs.
R.B. Parsley
On June 3, 2009 at 1:11 am
Pam great article!!! I don’t know how I missed this one! I’m like Bo Jack. I think its kind of funny that a bunny would deliver eggs to all the children. I don’t know how the Easter Bunny came to deliver Easter eggs, but you can bet somewhere in the world there’s a kid trying to figure out why his pet rabbit isn’t laying Easter eggs!!!!! Again, Fantastic article, Pam!!! Keep up the excellent work!!!!
Randy