Have you ever wondered how a rabbit became the symbol of Easter? If so, you are not alone. So how did the Easter bunny get its job delivering colorful Easter eggs? After all rabbits are mammals and don’t even lay eggs. Shouldn’t the symbol for Easter be an animal that actually lays eggs, like a lizard or chicken?
In Germany, rabbits have been associated with spring and fertility since the pre-Christian era. In fact, the rabbit was the symbol of Eostra—the pagan Germanic goddess of spring and fertility. This isn’t surprising when you consider that rabbits are prolific breeders. Rabbits are able to breed at a young age and can produce several litters in a year. It is believed that this pagan symbol of spring and fertility most likely merged with Christian traditions in 17th century Germany. In other words, the Christian holiday of Easter, which celebrated the resurrection of Jesus, became superimposed onpagan traditions that celebrated rebirth and fertility.
So why does the Easter bunny bring eggs? According to Discovery News, since ancient times, eggs and rabbits have been a symbol of fertility, while spring has been a symbol of rebirth. So even though rabbits don’t lay eggs, the association of these symbols was almost natural. Later, the resurrection of Jesus would also be tied into the long standing concept of rebirth. Writings from the 17th century in Germany describe the “Oschter Haws” (Easter hare) for the first time. According to folklore, the Easter hare would lay colorful eggs in the nests (baskets) of well behaved children. German immigrants brought this tradition of the Easter Bunny to the United States in the 18th century. Over the years, the tradition evolved to include chocolates and toys in addition to Easter eggs, says mentalfloss.com.
So there you have it. The Easter bunny and Easter eggs originated as pagan symbols of spring and rebirth. Over the centuries, these ancient symbols became associated with the Christian holiday of Easter such that the two traditions have merged together to become what some celebrate today. Although my children may not know the history behind the Easter bunny, this past weekend they thoroughly enjoyed participating in the tradition of the Easter egg hunt and look forward to it next year.
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The Easter Bunny (also called the Easter Rabbit or Easter Hare) is a folkloric figure and symbol of Easter, depicted as a rabbit—sometimes dressed with clothes—bringing Easter eggs.
bring eggs? According to Discovery News, since ancient times, eggs and rabbits have been a symbol of fertility, while spring has been a symbol of rebirth. So even though rabbits don't lay eggs, the association of these symbols was almost natural.
The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. One theory is that the symbol of the rabbit stems from pagan tradition, specifically the festival of Eostre—a goddess of fertility whose animal symbol was a bunny. Rabbits, known for their energetic breeding, have traditionally symbolized fertility.
In 1961 Christina Hole wrote, "The hare was the sacred beast of Eastre (or Ēostre), a Saxon goddess of Spring and of the dawn." The belief that Ēostre had a hare companion who became the Easter Bunny was popularized when it was presented as fact in the BBC documentary Shadow of the Hare (1993).
How is the Easter Bunny related to Jesus? In short: The Easter Bunny is not related to Jesus at all. At most, they're both obviously tied to the holiday celebrating the resurrection, and they're both considered symbols of new life—but the links to one another, essentially, end there.
It actually has nothing to do with the biblical Easter (obviously). It dates back to 13th Century Germany where they worshiped gods and goddesses including the goddess Eostra, who was the goddess of fertility. Since rabbits are very fertile and eggs represent fertility, that's how the bunnies and eggs came into play.
And what do they have to do with the resurrection of Jesus? Well, nothing. Bunnies, eggs, Easter gifts and fluffy, yellow chicks in gardening hats all stem from pagan roots. They were incorporated into the celebration of Easter separately from the Christian tradition of honoring the day Jesus Christ rose from the dead.
When the bunny and egg became connected with the Christian Easter celebration, the bunny (or “Easter Hare”) originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior.
The Easter Bunny is a rabbit that delivers presents and eggs to children on Easter. The tradition goes back a very long way just like the ones about Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. His real name is Peter Cottontail, just like how Santa's real name is either Saint Nicholas or Kris Kringle.
How does the Easter Bunny get into the house? He isn't able to come down the chimney like Santa Claus, so he usually looks for an open window that the parents of the house have left open for him. If your home has a pet door for dogs and cats to come in and out, that is much easier for him.
Sometime in the 1600s, the Germans converted the pagan rabbit image into Oschter Haws, a rabbit that was believed to lay a nest of colored eggs as gifts for good children. Since males don't lay eggs, one would surmise the 'Easter Bunny' must then be female.
The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you. And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.
The Hebrew legend draws on the story of Noah's Ark and the flood. Whilst on the ark, the female hare unwisely escapes and is drowned leaving the single male hare on his own. '[W]hen the Ark came to rest on Mount Ararat, only the male hare came out. And God gave him the power to bear children.
Easter actually originated as an ancient pagan celebration of the spring equinox. In Christianity, the day was dedicated to observing the resurrection of Jesus Christ, celebrated around the time of the Jewish Passover.
According to some sources, the Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws.” Their children made nests in which this creature could lay its colored eggs.
So why does the Easter bunny bring eggs? According to Discovery News, since ancient times, eggs and rabbits have been a symbol of fertility, while spring has been a symbol of rebirth. So even though rabbits don't lay eggs, the association of these symbols was almost natural.
The story of the Easter Bunny is connected to Pagan tradition, and is thought to have become common in the 19th Century. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), which are seen as a symbol of new life.
As for how the character of the Easter Bunny made its way to America, History.com reports that it was first introduced in the 1700s by German immigrants to Pennsylvania, who reportedly brought over their tradition of an egg-laying hare named "Osterhase" or "Oschter Haws" from the Old Country.
The rabbit, though it chews the cud, does not have a split hoof; it is unclean for you. And the pig, though it has a split hoof completely divided, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.
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So why does the Easter bunny bring eggs? According to Discovery News, since ancient times, eggs and rabbits have been a symbol of fertility, while spring has been a symbol of rebirth. So even though rabbits don’t lay eggs, the association of these symbols was almost natural. Later, the resurrection of Jesus would also be tied into the long standing concept of rebirth. Writings from the 17th century in Germany describe the “Oschter Haws” (Easter hare) for the first time. According to folklore, the Easter hare would lay colorful eggs in the nests (baskets) of well behaved children. German immigrants brought this tradition of the Easter Bunny to the United States in the 18th century. Over the years, the tradition evolved to include chocolates and toys in addition to Easter eggs, says mentalfloss.com. 
