Origins of the Easter Bunny, the Holiday Hare
Our Lord has written the promise of the resurrection, not in books alone, but in every leaf in spring-time. Martin Luther, (1483 – 1546)
He’s fluffy,
friendly, and oh, so fertile!
Hippity, hoppity! Here comes the Easter Bunny with his
basket of goodies! How did an egg-delivering rabbit come to represent Easter, the
resurrection day of the Savior?
Actually, the entire Easter holiday has its roots in pre-Christian
tradition. Early Christians adapted the Jewish Passover and pagan celebrations
to mark their highest holiday of faith, in which the Old Testament prophecies
were fulfilled by the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ.
Where did Easter, or Resurrection
Sunday, begin?
The ancient Anglo-Saxons worshipped Ostara, a goddess of
fertility. During the spring moon, or vernal equinox, tribal members would
offer seeds and colored eggs on a fertility altar to please and appease this
goddess.
Christians transformed the word “Ostara” to “Easter” to mark
the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection in the springtime. This timing was both
historical and logical, as the Last Supper of Christ was actually a celebration
of the Passover Seder, which also occurs in the spring.
How did Easter eggs become
associated with Resurrection Sunday?
Since early Roman times and before, people have regarded the
egg as a symbol of new life. As a sign of Christian rebirth, the egg is ideal.
What once appeared to be lifeless has sprung into new life. A bird hatching
from an egg has been seen as a type of resurrection, even as Christ stepped out
of the sealed tomb of death.
Incidentally, in Greece, Easter eggs are dyed red, to
symbolize the shed blood of Christ. Elsewhere, eggs may be colored in rainbowed
hues for festive fun. In the United States and other countries, children
participate in indoor or outdoor Easter egg hunts.
How did the Easter
Bunny traditions begin?
Rabbits are among the most prolific of all living creatures.
They exemplify fertility, as they may produce many offspring at one time.
According to Anglo-Saxon mythology, Ostara (again, the fertility goddess)
transformed a bird into a bunny, who laid colorful eggs for children. Thus
began the tradition of a bunny giving children decorated eggs in the spring.
In America, Pennsylvania Dutch settlers recounted stories to
their children of the “Oschter Haws” (Easter Hare), who visited homes and left
colored eggs for well-behaved children. Little boys would leave their caps, and
little girls would leave their bonnets, as nests. In time, families began
weaving and crafting baskets instead.
In the 19th century, German confectioners began
making Easter bunnies from pastry.
Today, in the United States, families perpetuate the tradition
of the Easter Bunny, who brings treats and trinkets to children. Many other
countries have similar traditions.
As real rabbits begin birthing their many young this spring,
one cannot help but consider our great blessings. Aren’t we fortunate that the Easter
Bunny drops jelly beans and chocolate eggs, instead of what all those other bunnies
leave in our yards?
Love poetry? Click
here to visit Linda Ann Nickerson’s poetry and humor blog, Nickers and Ink.
Feel free to follow on X.
Like this blog? Check
out Practically at Home on Facebook. You are invited to visit my
author page on Amazon.com.
