Why Rabbits Are Associated With Easter - The Real Story?

Question

Everyone else had their take on the Easter Bunny, I guess I'll take a crack at it.

Back in the early days, pigs were considered a luxury among many and only the well to do could afford to have them. Families that had very little hunted for wild game instead to put on their tables for Easter. Rabbits were plentiful since they multiply quite rapidly during the Spring. So when the rabbit was served on Easter, it was known as the Easter Bunny. Because of their demeanor and cuteness, rabbits became household pets and kids like to dress them up in cute outfits and that's why they wear what they do today.

As far as eggs go, you have to go elsewhere for that. Hope this helps.

Answer 1

Actually, it does go back to farmers. Rabbits run the fields this time of year, and spring and rabbits go hand in hand.

Funny thing, though. Here's your egg mystery solved: as farmers cleared the fields in England, they would find rabbit dens, with eggs in them. This is where the association of rabbits bringing eggs comes from.

Actually, it was a type of a pulver (can't think of the name, but you can do the research), a ground dwelling bird, who used abandon rabbit dens to nest. The farmers would intrude to clean up the fields before planting, the bird would take flight, and the farmers found the eggs.

But it all has to do with the season, as you point out. Probably a hearty meat meal after a winter of roots. And a few fresh eggs.

So, take a few rabbits to be served up on "Easter" add some pulver eggs and you have the stuff that marketing experts just can't resist for promotion. A farmer coming home from the fields with some fresh rabbit for the table and a basket filled with bird eggs.

Answer 2

Well, that's a cute theory, but the Easter bunny comes from pre-Christian Pagan religions, and was adopted by Christians who were trying to convert Pagans. The Rabbit is a totem animal associated with a Goddess named Eostre, or Ostara, which is who we also get the name of the holiday from, her holiday is celebrated at the Spring Equinox, and Easter is on the sunday after the first full moon after the Equinox. But I will grant that bunnies are cute, and make an abundant food source...Eggs also come from Pagan traditions, and are symbolic of new life, which is celebrated at springtime....
Scrooloos You are welcome..
Boudica, never heard of a bird that lays eggs in rabbit dens, fascinating.....
Fatboycool: I think the women's encyclopedia is just about the most worn book in my collection :)

Answer 3

The Easter hare myth reached America from Europe. Here where the hare is scarce or unknown, it has been transformed into its near relation the rabbit. In Germany the Easter hare is almost as important as St. Nick. If children are good, a white hare secrete beautifully colored eggs for the children. he hare is connected with the moon. Easter is a lunar holiday. From very ancient times the hare has been a symbol for the moon. The hare is nocturnal--carries her young for one month--both the hare and the moon supposedly could change their sex--the young are born with their eyes open--fabled never to close them. The moon was the open-eyed watcher of the skies at night, as was the hare in popular belief.
Hares that yearly sexes change,
Proteus, altering oft and strange,
Hecate with shapes three,
Let this maiden changed be. --"Faithless Shepherdess"

The egg was the mystical symbol of the Creatress, whose world egg contained the universe in embryo.The Egyptians told the tale of Hathor-Astarte who laid the Golden Egg of the Sun, as the Easter Hare lays eggs for good children in Germany. The persians began the solar new year at the spring equinox, and up to the 18th century presented each other with colored eggs. Eggs were always symbols of rebirth.

Answer 4

Thanks beatlefa and fatboy. I learned a lot cause I thought the rabbit laid the eggs.