what does a bunny have to do with Easter i know what the egg represents?

Question

why do you see bunnyes at easter what does it have to do with jesus and the reserrection

Answer 1

Ostara was a pagan tradition, predating the traditional Christian Celebration of Easter. The egg is symbolic of new birth, since both Easter and Ostara are in the spring. The Bunny is symbolic of furtility, because in many pagan Traditions the Earth is seen as a mother to us all. When rabbits reproduce, they usually have a large litter, this is symbolic of how the Mother Earth gave to birth to all of us. Easter and Ostara do not fall particularly on the same day, as Easter is a generalization, since historically we do not have an accurate record of when Jesus died, and rose again. But Ostara falls upon the shift in the Vernal Equinox, hence supposedly marking the actual first day of spring. Traditionalist Pagans and Wiccans may celebrate their holy day on this shift, whereas it has been structurally accepted to celebrate Easter at the same time. While it is true that the Bunnies and eggs seen are Easter are of Pagan origin, try to open your mind and see the comparison. The Pagans or Wiccans are celebrating the New Birth of All of creation, flowers are beginning to bud, and summer is on its way! The Christians are celebrating new birth within themselves due to Christ sacrficing himself and dying for the good of all. In a sense, the Earth undergoes the dispair of some very cruel winters, so that later we can live upon it.

So you see, you must understand that Easter and Ostara are really celebrating similar concepts, it is no coincidence that they are celebrated at the same time. The Church has obviously struggled with bringing Pagans in to know their Lord and Savior. I tend to think that both traditions are good in their own way. Jesus bring new life into the world, at spring, makes perfect sense, since so deos the earth! Of course this is my opinion, but I base my opinion on research.

To answer your question though, the bunnies represent new life. It is a symbol of hope, and fertility, that life will go on, no matter how harsh the winter! In Christianity, Jesus is also a symbol of hope, and new life. That one can find joy with God, and wash the sins of the past away. If you really study it, you will find that many Christian holidays fall in or around Pagan ones. This is something that many Churches won't discuss openly. But I have been to some that understand, how difficult it had been to "bring the message of God" to people. Don't just take it for granted what people tell you, ask questions, do your research. It is better to ask a question, than to follow blindly. Do you think it's strange how Ostara, and Easter sound alike? I don't. We're celebrating a similar theme, one of new hope!

It isn't a celebration of lust as stated earlier.

Whether or not the Pagans in days gone by had orgies and such is purely skeptical. And even if they did, their culture would have been different than ours, and this act would not have been seen as unholy in their time. In fact they would probably have seen the act of sex and new birth as a positive thing, as creating new life, and loving one another. The morality of today's typical veiwpoint would not have fitted with the morality of theirs.
In actuality, it is only assumed that Pagans had orgies. Their is no historical proof, other than drawings. And we all know that pictures in their own right may or may not be an accurate interpretation of events. But it is well known that even Christians have the capability to lust and to fall into such "sin" as this. But, today's pagans are quite different. The Ostara celebration is still a celebration of hope and new life, but usually it is percieved more internally by your more typical western Pagans and Wiccans.

I'm sorry to sound so argumentative. The person above is correct to say that it is of Pagan origin, but she is incorrect to say that it is a celebration of lust. Instead, it is a celebration of all life, irregardless of how that life came into being, which is where the mis-interpretation of lust probably came in.
Think about it. Whether or not actual sexual activity was invoved in Pagan traditions of the past is unknown. However, few if any, participate in their celebrations in the same manner today. And as far as I know, Pagan communities are very adamant about dispelling this rumor (lie) to this day. (We fear that which we do not understand.) Perhaps people should try to understand more about Pagan customs before they answer questions dealing with Pagan traditions.

And yes, it does have something do with religion, just not the Christian religion. Or does it? You are being reborn, throught Christ? Many Pagans, believe in reincarnation, therefore the bunny is symbolic of rebirth, as well. These comparisons are very interesting to me. I might want to further study this.

Answer 2

In pagan times, the "Easter hare" was no ordinary animal, but a sacred companion of the old goddess of spring, Eostre. The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the Spring season. Since long before Jesus Christ was born, parents told their children that the magic hare would bring them presents at the spring festival. The presents were often painted eggs, as these represented the new life starting at this time of year

Answer 3

Rabbits and eggs are both symbols of the fertility goddess Eostre/Ishtar/Oestre/Ostara. Her symbol is also the moon, in which some cultures see a rabbit instead of a face. Eggs also symbolize the moon and are the ultimate symbol of creation and new life. The basket is a symbol of the womb in which this new life is carried.

The feast day is pagan and was widely celebrated way before the time of Jesus. Like pretty much all holidays, it was adopted by Christians to help get more converts. However, since the point is to celebrate new life and the hope of continuance, Christian symbols of a Resurrection day and the old pagan symbols mean the same thing. Just like Christmas, we are all celebrating the same thing, just using different symbols.

Answer 4

I think the bunny has to make Easter more fun for younger people who dont kno the story of Jesus. I also think it has to do with new life and spring. Maybe you should do some research on it and find out

Answer 5

Nothing. The bunny actually comes from the pagan celebration of Beltane. It is an innocent symbol of lust and procreation, something for which the animal in question is rather famous.

Answer 6

Rabbits and eggs are representative of the celebration of fertility.
Neither have anything to do with Jesus or his alleged resurrection.

Answer 7

all holidays such as easter valintines day christmas have all different meaning now just so people could make money easter was surposed to repesent jesus eating after 40days valintines day was a day tyo find love and christmas is to celebrate jesuses birth but there not like this any more there just days big corpirations make money

Answer 8

new life... Spring time one sees a lot of bunnies and chicks born.

Is it that important to know? How trivial!!!!!

Answer 9

the real easter has nothing to do with jesus. it's pagen to celebrate springtime and procreation. haven't you ever heard of the term "screw like rabbits" ?

Answer 10

The Romans forced those being crucified to wear rabbit ears. The Romans were a cruel and heartless bunch.