FAQs
The idea of an egg-giving hare went to the U.S. in the 18th century. Protestant German immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area told their children about the "Osterhase" (sometimes spelled "Oschter Haws"). Hase means "hare", not rabbit, and in Northwest European folklore the "Easter Bunny" indeed is a hare.
What does the Easter Bunny represent? ›
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.
What is the story of the Easter Bunny? ›
One of the earliest mentions of the Easter Bunny can be found in German folklore dating back to the 16th century. According to German tradition, the Easter Bunny, or “Osterhase,” was believed to be a mythical creature that laid colorful eggs for children to find on Easter Sunday.
How is the Easter Bunny related to Jesus? ›
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.
Why did they make up the Easter Bunny? ›
In old German folklore, there was a goddess named Eostre. She was the spring goddess of fertility of humans and crops. Both hares and eggs were used as symbols for this mythological figure, because they both represented fertility.
Where did the rabbit come from on Easter? ›
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.
Why are eggs associated with Easter? ›
Eggs represent new life and rebirth, and it's thought that this ancient custom became a part of Easter celebrations. In the medieval period, eating eggs was forbidden during Lent (the 40 days before Easter) so on Easter Sunday, tucking into an egg was a real treat!
What is the pagan meaning of the Easter Bunny? ›
The Rabbit is the symbol of fertility and along with the eggs were the symbols of a pagan festival honoring the Goddess Eostre or Ostara ( E. Most likely [1]. Easter eggs and rabbits are closely related to the arrival of spring in the Northern Hemisphere.
What Bible says about Easter? ›
Luke 24:34: "The Lord is risen indeed!" 1 Corinthians 15:4: "He was buried, [and] he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." Acts 4:33: "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all."
Why do we celebrate Easter bunnies? ›
From its ancient pagan origins to its modern-day celebrations around the world, the Easter Bunny continues to captivate the imaginations of children and adults alike. As a symbol of fertility, renewal, and new beginnings, the Easter Bunny embodies the spirit of Easter and the joy of springtime.
Well, it turns out Easter actually began as a pagan festival celebrating spring in the Northern Hemisphere, long before the advent of Christianity. "Since pre-historic times, people have celebrated the equinoxes and the solstices as sacred times," University of Sydney Professor Carole Cusack said.
Is the Easter Bunny real or is it your parents? ›
Coming-of-age tradition
You might tell your child: “Even though there's no actual Easter bunny, the magic of Easter is really about doing all the fun things together with our family and friends, and showing each other we love them by giving chocolate gifts.”
Is the Easter Bunny a religious symbol? ›
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.
What does the Bible say about rabbits? ›
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.
What do rabbits symbolize in Christianity? ›
Rabbit symbolism is also evident in various spiritual and religious practices. In Christianity, rabbits represent rebirth and resurrection, particularly during Easter celebrations. The rabbit's ability to reproduce quickly also signifies fertility and new life.
How did the Easter Bunny become a thing? ›
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.
Why are Easter Bunny and eggs in the Bible? ›
The bunnies, chicks and eggs are signs "new life and fertility around the spring time," O'Malley says. According to History.com, Easter eggs are also "said to represent Jesus' emergence from the tomb and resurrection."
Why do we hide eggs on Easter? ›
For millennia, it has represented fertility, new life, and potential. In many ancient civilisations, eggs were associated with creation myths and the beginning of spring. This symbolism resonated with early Christians who saw the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a rebirth and the start of a new covenant with God.
What gender is the Easter Bunny? ›
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.
Why do we celebrate Easter with eggs? ›
The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. The egg-coloring tradition has continued even in modern secular nations.
Before being a chocolate delicacy, the egg is the emblem of life, especially in the Christian religion. Naturally, this meaning coincides with the resurrection of Christ, which is celebrated at Easter. The chocolate Easter egg would then be the descendant of a custom imbued with a strong spiritual symbolism.
What is the real truth behind Easter? ›
The Origin of Easter
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.
Why is it called Good Friday? ›
If Good Friday is a day of sorrow and remembrance, it begs the question – why is it called “Good” Friday? Good Friday is called "good" because of the religious significance of the day for Christians, who believe that Jesus's death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice for humanity's sins.
Are eggs pagan for Easter? ›
The Druids used the egg as their sacred emblem. Gauls, Chinese, and Persians also used colored eggs for their ancient pagan spring festivals to represent rebirth. During the Middle Ages, Europeans collected different colored bird eggs from nests to use as charms against evil and bring them good fortune.
Why do they put a bunny for Easter? ›
Originating among German Lutherans, the "Easter Hare" originally played the role of a judge, evaluating whether children were good or disobedient in behavior at the start of the season of Eastertide, similar to the "naughty or nice" list made by Santa Claus.
What do Easter eggs represent in Christianity? ›
The egg itself became a symbol of the Resurrection. Just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell. In the Orthodox tradition, eggs are painted red to symbolize the blood that Jesus shed on the cross. The egg-coloring tradition has continued even in modern secular nations.
What does a rabbit symbolizes? ›
In some ancient cultures, rabbits were symbols of fertility and prosperity. For instance, in greek times they were sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. While in later folklores they're often portrayed as tricksters who can bring luck and good fortune if treated with respect.
Why does the Easter Bunny bring presents? ›
Since seedlings and eggs are associated with new life, the baskets came to symbolize new life. Later on, as more people embraced Christianity, they would hold on to their old customs. That's the main reason why we still give baskets filled with goodies during this holiday.