Where did the Easter Bunny come from?
The Easter Bunny as a symbol of Easter has its origins in Alsace and southwestern Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s.
The rabbit, as one of the most fertile animals, was associated with the Pagan Spring Festival celebrating the goddess of Eostre, from whom the word Easter is derived. Eostre was associated with fertility, as is the rabbit and the egg.
The Easter Bunny was introduced to America by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the “Oschter Haws” (the bunny) was considered “childhood’s greatest pleasure” next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve.
According to tradition, boys used their caps and girls used their bonnets to make the nests. They would hide the nests in the home, barn, or garden for the Easter bunny. If they were good children, the “Oschter Haws” would leave brightly colored eggs in their nests.
As the tradition spread, the nest evolved into the manufactured, modern day Easter basket.
The rabbit, as one of the most fertile animals, was associated with the Pagan Spring Festival celebrating the goddess of Eostre, from whom the word Easter is derived. Eostre was associated with fertility, as is the rabbit and the egg.
The Easter Bunny was introduced to America by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the “Oschter Haws” (the bunny) was considered “childhood’s greatest pleasure” next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve.
According to tradition, boys used their caps and girls used their bonnets to make the nests. They would hide the nests in the home, barn, or garden for the Easter bunny. If they were good children, the “Oschter Haws” would leave brightly colored eggs in their nests.
As the tradition spread, the nest evolved into the manufactured, modern day Easter basket.
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