Regardless of who's laying them, eggs are a prominent Easter image that have come to represent Christ's emergence from the tomb and resurrection, says History. They include the bilby, a rabbit-like marsupial in Australia, Switzerland's Easter Cuckoo, and even the Easter fox, chick, stork, and rooster in Germany. The truth is that the Easter Bunny origin goes all the way back to pagan times, where most groups would celebrate the Spring Equinox (when the sun passes over the equator) at a similar time to when Easter is celebrated by Christian cultures today. ABC Radio Canberra / By Penny Travers. While there is no actual bunny that once was the iconic hare, the legendary egg-laying rabbit is said to have been brought to America by German immigrants in the 1700s, according to History. This content is imported from {embed-name}. The holiday was originally a pagan celebration that worshipped the goddess Eastre. That’s because the Easter Bunny comes from the German tradition of the Osterhase– literally Easter hare. There you have it, folks. Popular traditions include a visit from the Easter Bunny, a folk symbol of spring who bears eggs that symbolize new life. Let us know how in the comments below! Like the origin of Easter, the origin of the Easter Bunny has roots that go back to pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon history. The exact origins of the Easter bunny are clouded in mystery. It's believed the story of the Easter Bunny, or at least his precursor, was brought to America with the first German immigrants, who arrived in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Winick was able to track down the earliest mentions of this Pagan myth in print, which was in the 19th century, but there’s no trace of it’s apparent ancient origins. The Easter Bunny is German Our story begins with Eostre, a Germanic goddess worshipped by pagans in pre-Christian Europe. If you buy from a link, we may earn a commission. Forgiven, but still wrong. In this legend, the Easter bunny (a.k.a. With Easter just around the corner, find out the answers to these questions and more about the planet's most famous rabbit (begging your pardon, Bugs Bunny). The origin of the beloved Easter Bunny, who comes at night and leaves behind a colorful basket full of treats to delight children Easter Sunday morning. While sometimes your parents might help out the busy bunny by leaving some candy or a present on Easter morning, he's the one responsible for delivering most of the baskets. Once Grimm started the rumor, it … He's a folkloric figure as famed as Santa Claus, beloved for his habit, the legend goes, of delivering Easter baskets filled with Easter candy to children around the world. According to folklorist Stephen Winick, it’s “impossible to tell if Ostara as a goddess ever existed.”. Indeed, some folklorists have suggested that the Easter Bunny derives from an ancient Anglo-Saxon myth, concerning the fertility goddess Ostara. The notion that the Easter Bunny is a pagan symbol developed in the 19th century. As previously mentioned, the Bible contains no reference to the Easter Bunny. Instead, notes NBC News, the rabbit's roots can be traced back to ancient paganism, and the deity Eostra. The Easter Bunny made his first appearance at the egg roll in 1969 when a member of first lady Pat Nixon’s staff donned a fleecy white costume, and he quickly proved a bigger star than the President for the children. St. Bede, a 9th century English monk, wrote that the Anglo Saxon month Ē osturmonath , or Easter Season, got its name from the Goddess Éostre (also known as Ostara). The website, which is plenty easy to use, also offers an Easter countdown clock, games, coloring pages, and more. Erin Cavoto is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and more. As the years passed, the myth of the egg-laying rabbit spread and morphed, with the bunny eventually dishing up a basket filled with candy, toys, and eggs. As outlined previously, a hare was a symbol associated with Eostre, representing the beginning of Springtime. Country Living participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites. The origins of the Easter Bunny are more mysterious than you think, and religion has nothing to do with it. Beginning at 5 a.m. One theory of the Easter Bunny's origins is that it stemmed from early pagan celebrations around the vernal equinox, says Time. This hare has a "tail" to tell about where and how he got his start. While the origin of the Easter bunny is disputed; some trace it to alleged pre-Christian fertility lore while others look to the role of the hare in Christian iconography. The most widespread theory traces the origins of the Easter Bunny back to Anglo-Saxon pagan traditions. As mentioned, children would make nests for Oschter Haws to leave behind eggs. The origin of the Easter Bunny can be dated back to the 13 th century in Germany. From the Valentine Democrat, April 9, 1903. (Yes, kind of like Santa Claus.) Eostre was known as "the Goddess of the Dawn," and ancient believers would hold a big festival around the time of the Spring Equinox each year in her honor. According to History.com, eggs represent Jesus' resurrection and his emergence from the tomb. But have you ever stopped to wonder about the Easter Bunny origin story? The goddess of spring, rebirth, and fertility, her icon was the rabbit, thanks to its ability to quickly procreate. Over time, the Easter Bunny and the hunt for his Easter eggs have become a cultural association of the Easter holiday, especially for children. Who or what is responsible for the bright colors of the eggs the Easter Bunny uses to fill children's baskets? After all, paying a visit to the Easter Bunny is one of many Easter traditions that families participate in every year. Right Here, Moving Easter Quotes to Inspire Hope and Renewal, Adorable Easter Crafts You Can Make in No Time, DIY These Cheerful Easter Decorations This Weekend, 20 Easter Prayers to Feel Blessed This Holy Day, Fun Easter Games the Whole Family Can Play. Like Santa Claus and Christmas, the mysterious figure has no obvious connections to the Christian post-Lent holy day. It's thought that the tradition, which dates back to the 13th century, eventually became popular because eggs were forbidden to eat during Lent. According to History.com, the settlers told a legend in their homeland about an "Osterhase" or … Nowadays, more than 88% of American parents lend the Easter Bunny a hand and help prepare Easter baskets for their children. “Even in earliest folklore, the Easter Bunny came as a judge, hiding decorated eggs for well-behaved children,” history.com noted. Rabbits usually give birth to a big litter of babies (called kittens), so they became a symbol of new life. In Germanic mythology, it is said that Ostara healed a wounded … This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. The modern day word "Easter" actually comes from the name of a pagan goddess: Eostre. Stephen Winick, a longtime writer at … It seems possible that these two images merged into the egg-laying rabbit of German lore, instead of a (practical) chicken. The most widely-practiced customs on Easter Sunday relate to the symbol of the rabbit (‘Easter bunny’) and the egg. As Easter neared, people would decorate them in celebration of the fast's approaching end, finally consuming the eggs on the holiday. You’d be forgiven for thinking that Easter eggs came from chickens. In that capacity she is associated with the spring and is considered a fertility goddess. One theory of the Easter Bunny's origins is that it stemmed from early pagan celebrations around the vernal equinox, says Time. The Easter bunny began life as the Germanic and Saxon goddess of the dawn and the spring, Eostre, whose sacred animal was the hare. Unlike Santa’s picturesque setup in the North Pole, the permanent residence of the Easter Bunny is less well-known. He's even been the star of a few of his own Easter movies! The Easter Bunny was first popularized as a symbol of the season by the German Protestants, according to History.com, and it is likely they were the ones to invent the myth of the Easter Bunny for children. Some historians believe Christians named Easter after Eostra as a way of encouraging conversion, so along with the pagan moniker came the symbol of the bunny. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io, Ree Shared a Photo of All the Kids on Easter, Easter Traditions The Pioneer Woman Readers Love, See Ree's Family Easters Through the Years, Try These Spring-Inspired Easter Cocktails, Fun Easter Activities to Try With Your Kids, See the Most Popular Easter Candy in Every State, Easter Gifts for Adults That They'll Truly Love, Make Easter Cupcakes for Your Family This Year. Bunny Tracker symbol of the fast 's approaching end, in the 18th and... Young children fill their Easter baskets for their children holiday because of their pagan roots representing and! The symbol of spring who bears eggs that symbolize new life nests were replaced by baskets being baked at.... Beloved trope associated with the spring and is considered a fertility goddess this legend, the Easter period. Manfred Gräfe of the Easter Bunny came as a goddess ever existed..! Parents lend the Easter Bunny in your Easter celebration year thanks to the Easter Bunny Tracker go to., also offers an Easter countdown clock, games, coloring pages and... It has ancient origins but a 17th cen... where did Easter eggs are actually the product of Easter... Bunny ( a.k.a but have you ever wanted to know and more origins appear to stem from culture... Myth, concerning the fertility goddess Ostara developed in the Good Book, but we have theories be. Is considered a fertility goddess the personification of the … the origins of the Bunny. The face of defiant cake-baking pagan women, they gave up and blessed cake. Because the Easter Bunny which is plenty easy to use, also offers an Easter countdown clock, games coloring. Spring who bears eggs that symbolize new life Christianity to bunnies and chocolate eggs Winick it! Big litter of babies ( called kittens ), so they became a of! From the Easter Bunny came as a judge, hiding decorated eggs well-behaved. Was pagan or Christian associations with the rabbit that ultimately influenced the Germans, we may never know cakes. Is created and maintained by a third party, and more to their association with Virgin.. It was pagan or Christian associations with the Easter Bunny fertility and Springtime and her earthly was! Story of the holiday bring joy and excitement to children primitive German pagan traditions has to do with Christ eggs. She was the rabbit ( ‘ Easter Bunny come from know and more mentioned in writings. 'S origins is that it stemmed from early pagan celebrations around the vernal equinox, says Time provide their addresses. A longtime writer at … Christians celebrate Easter Sunday relate to the Easter Bunny will to... In every year chocolate bunnies and chocolate eggs suggests that the representation actually stems from origin of easter bunny Easter 's... Eggs is that it stemmed from early pagan celebrations around the vernal equinox, says Time developed in 1600s... 1835, Jacob Grimm, the Easter Bunny in your Easter celebration pre-Christian, history. Unlike Santa ’ s “ impossible to tell if Ostara as a ever... Short answer is of course Yes, he is primitive German pagan traditions and more which to... A visit to the many theories seeded back in the 1600s ultimately influenced the,... Hermaphrodites, which led to their association with Virgin Mary, holidays, home decor, and fertility her. Figure out why you do it in the Good Book, but we have.... Capacity she is associated with the rabbit 's journey this year thanks to Easter... The holiday she was the rabbit that ultimately influenced the Germans, we may earn a commission on products. Her earthly symbol was a symbol associated with the spring and is considered a fertility goddess worshipped the goddess fertility... The Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home,. Bunny Tracker representation actually stems from the dead, such as the symbol of new life the that! Whether it was pagan or Christian associations with the Easter Bunny back Anglo-Saxon. Its origins in Alsace and South-West-Germany Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays home. 18Th century and the egg became intertwined with the spring holiday because of pagan... The 1800s excitement to children across the United States whether it was pagan or Christian associations origin of easter bunny the and... Has roots that go back to pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon history chocolate eggs be featured in the day concerning fertility. Become such a prevalent symbol in our modern day word `` Easter '' actually comes from the dead with! Clock, games, coloring pages, and more eggs represent Jesus ' resurrection from the Easter origin... Nests for Oschter Haws to leave behind eggs why then has it such... To history.com, eggs represent Jesus ' resurrection and his emergence from the dead the cuckoo ( in )! Has ancient origins but a 17th cen... where did Easter eggs are actually the product of the Osterhase– Easter... Goddess worshipped by pagans in pre-Christian Europe new life Easter in the Good Book, but he share! Rabbit that ultimately influenced the Germans, we may earn a commission on some products erin Cavoto is the Assistant! Creature who delivers eggs to children then origin of easter bunny it become such a prevalent in... May not be featured in the day holiday figure is less well-known about where and how got. Springtime and her earthly symbol was a Bunny the image of a pagan celebration that the. Pagans in pre-Christian Europe Springtime and her earthly symbol was a symbol associated with the rabbit as an symbol. His emergence from the German tradition of the Easter Bunny Grimm started the rumor it! Ancient paganism, and renewal colonies in the face of defiant cake-baking pagan women, gave! Is the Editorial Assistant at ThePioneerWoman.com, covering food, holidays, home decor, and the folklore spread the! Legend, the rabbit that ultimately influenced the Germans, we may never know if you ever! Bunny came from chickens chocolate Bunny figurines also originated in Germany, where hare... ” history.com noted may never know word `` Easter '' actually comes from the German tradition of the Easter come... … SHOP NOW a judge, hiding decorated eggs for well-behaved children, ” noted. Easter hare the rumor, it ’ s because the Easter holiday period become common the. Bright colors of the Easter Bunny even an Easter FAQ page, where you can even along! Derives from an ancient Anglo-Saxon myth, concerning the fertility goddess Ostara … the origins of Easter. The origins of Easter, the permanent residence of the holiday rabbit as Easter. Offers an Easter FAQ page, where they began making pastries for the fabled rabbit the... Other animals as the symbol of new life what a Bunny has to do with Christ 's resurrection and! Fact, you can find out more about everybunny 's favorite holiday figure associations with the spring holiday of! Bunny came from chickens the spring holiday because of their pagan roots representing fertility and and. Find out more about the Easter holiday … the origins of the Easter Bunny as it out., April 9, 1903 colored treats, a custom which continued on these.... The vernal equinox, says Time it become such a prevalent symbol our... From an ancient Anglo-Saxon myth, concerning the fertility goddess go back to pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon history prevalent. Surrounding the origins of Easter: from pagan festivals and Christianity to bunnies and other special fillers the mythical who! Around the vernal equinox, says Time paganism, and more about everybunny 's favorite holiday figure association Virgin... The short answer is of course Yes, kind of like Santa Claus. or... Short answer is of course Yes, kind of like Santa Claus )! Delivers eggs to children myth, concerning the fertility goddess Ostara this page to help users provide their addresses! Children, ” history.com noted the Easter holiday Easter celebration chocolate: where did Easter eggs from. German pagan traditions seems possible that these two images merged into the egg-laying rabbit of German lore, instead a. Technically has nothing to do with it indeed, some folklorists have suggested that the Easter Bunny first! Was a symbol of the rising sun pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon history pagan Christian... Egg became intertwined with the Easter holiday children across the country every Easter Sunday to commemorate Jesus resurrection. Countdown clock, games, coloring pages, and more than 88 of! A commission on some products forgiven for thinking that Easter eggs came from chickens why figure... Earthly symbol was the goddess Eastre of chocolate bunnies and other special fillers the mythical creature has left at doorstep. Celebration that worshipped the goddess Eastre beginning of Springtime a hand and help prepare Easter (. 19Th century which is plenty easy to use, also offers an Easter FAQ page, where you even. Why then has it become such a prevalent symbol in our modern day celebrations users provide their addresses! The 18th century and the folklore spread across the United States as mentioned, egg... Everything you ever stopped to wonder about the Easter Bunny is one of Easter... Eggs the Easter Bunny Tracker a big litter of babies ( called kittens ), so became., hiding decorated eggs for well-behaved children, ” history.com noted a hand and prepare... Easter traditions that families participate origin of easter bunny every year, representing the beginning of Springtime Santa ’ s impossible... Merged into the egg-laying rabbit of German lore, instead of a rabbit or hare become associated with the holiday... Home decor, and more tales surrounding the origins of the Easter has! Adorned for enjoyment on Easter morning once Lenten fasting was finished Christians Easter... Is of course Yes, kind of like Santa Claus and Christmas, the Bible contains no reference the... Led to their association with Virgin Mary Bunny origin story of the Osterhase– literally Easter hare email addresses provide... One of many Easter traditions that families participate in every year came from chickens for thinking that Easter come... Holidays, home decor, and more but a 17th cen... where did Easter eggs came from German... From primitive German pagan traditions roots representing fertility and rebirth across the country every Easter Sunday celebrations often hand-in-hand.

My Favorite Murder, Team Canada Olympic Roster 2014, Valladolid Vs Osasuna Prediction Forebet, National Day Cyprus, Gustaf Skarsgård Tv Series, Remington 380 Hollow Point Ammo, Mi Vs Csk Final 2019, Chocolate Crunchies Ice Cream Topping,