According to the University of Florida's Center for Children's Literature and Culture, the origin of the celebration - and the origin of the Easter Bunny - can be traced back to 13th-century, pre-Christian Germany, when people worshiped several gods and goddesses.
The Teutonic deity Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox. Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal's high reproduction rate.
Spring also symbolized new life and rebirth; eggs were an ancient symbol of fertility. According to History. The first Easter Bunny legend was documented in the s. Around , the first story about a rabbit laying eggs and hiding them in a garden was published. These legends were brought to the United States in the s, when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania Dutch country, according to the Center for Children's Literature and Culture.
The tradition of making nests for the rabbit to lay its eggs in soon followed. Eventually, nests became decorated baskets and colorful eggs were swapped for candy, treats and other small gifts. So, while you're scarfing down chocolate bunnies I hear chocolate is good for you! Glowing Bunny Born in Turkey. The Easter Bunny actually has a long and deeply rooted history in the Christian holiday — and even in pagan traditions. Here's what to know about the fascinating origins of the Easter Bunny before you welcome the holiday with chocolate rabbits and plenty of bunny-shaped treats — including where the character comes from, why he's associated with Easter eggs , and how he became such a beloved symbol of the holiday over the years.
The Bible has no mention of a mythical hare who delivers eggs to children on the day of Jesus Christ's resurrection — so how exactly did the Easter Bunny become a prominent symbol of one of Christianity's most important holidays? One theory, according to Time , is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from the ancient pagan tradition believed to have started the celebration of Easter — the festival of Eostre , which honored the goddess of fertility and spring.
Supposedly, the goddess's animal symbol was a rabbit , which have long traditionally symbolized fertility due to their high reproduction rates. As for how the specific character of the Easter Bunny originated in America, History. Eventually, the custom spread across America to become a widespread Easter tradition — and over time, the fabled bunny's delivery even expanded from just eggs to include other treats such as chocolate and toys.
Since rabbits are mammals and thus give birth to live young , you might be wondering why exactly the Easter Bunny is said to lay eggs on the holiday. The answer may be as simple as the fact that eggs, like the rabbit, have long been an ancient symbol of fertility, rebirth, and new life — all things associated with the springtime celebration of Easter!
From a Christian perspective, eggs for Easter are said to represent Jesus' resurrection and his emergence from the tomb. Although the Bible makes no mention of a rabbit, the Easter bunny is the most secular symbol of this holiday.
Rabbits are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life, two ideas which are strongly associated with spring and with Easter. The connection between rabbits and Easter arose in the 17th century and was introduced to the Americans later by German immigrants. The German's also introduced their tradition of an egg-laying hare called 'Oschter Haws'. The festival became favourite among the kids as they made nests for the Easter bunny to lay the colourful and decorated eggs.
Eventually, the tradition spread across the U. Decorating the eggs is one of the oldest Easter customs. The concept of Easter eggs comes from Pagan traditions. The eggs are a symbol of fertility and renewal but they are associated with this festival for a practical reason. For centuries, the Christian church banned eggs along with other food items such as meat, wine, cheese and milk during Lent which became a special delight to eat again on Easter. Lent is a period of fasting, penance, repentance of sins and self-denial which ends approximated six weeks later, before Easter.
So while no one could eat eggs, they decorated and painted the eggs to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting. While delicious foods and decorated eggs are a way to celebrate this festival, chocolates and candies play an important role for the kids.
As eggs have been long associated with the festival, chocolate eggs became the most popular delicacy on Easter and kids just loved it. Hence, making it a popular tradition on Easter. A weekly guide to the biggest developments in health, medicine and wellbeing delivered to your inbox. Thank you for subscribing! Your subscription is confirmed for news related to biggest developments in health, medicine and wellbeing.
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