2007-04-09 07:25:42 · 6 answers · asked by Anonymous in Society & Culture ➔ Holidays ➔ Other - Holidays
YEA!.... what is the deal with that pink fur coat hopping around with that basket of eggs?
2007-04-09 07:31:39 · answer #1 · answered by xyz 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hey, I found the perfect resource for you! http://easterbunnys.net/
They have information about the history of Easter eggs, also.
But here is your bunny information!:
"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.
The bunny as an Easter symbol seems to have it's origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. The first edible Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s. These were made of pastry and sugar.
The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.
The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home, the barn or the garden. Boys would use their caps and girls their bonnets to make the nests . The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country. "
2007-04-09 07:55:11 · answer #2 · answered by Melissa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Watch the current South Park episode. St. Peter was a rabbit.
But seriously, rabbits are symbols of fertility and birth. Spring is a time of fertility. Eggs also represent fertility and birth, which is how they get associated with the Easter Bunny, who of course does not lay eggs. So they all get lumped together at Easter time.
2007-04-09 07:30:00 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Rabbits and eggs are both symbols of the fertility goddess Eostre/Ishtar/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.
2007-04-09 09:20:00 · answer #4 · answered by KC 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
bunny symbolizes fertility and thus the new life that comes with spring. Easter was originally a pagan observation which early Catholics tacked over the celebration of the Resurrection of Christ in order to make christianity more palatable to potential pagan converts.
The symbols of the bunny and egg persisted and meshed well with the whole resurrection thing becuase that too represents the rebirth that comes with Spring
2007-04-09 07:39:28 · answer #5 · answered by samurai_dave 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am sure when you started to post this question, a little window opened saying the question had already been asked several times, and offered if you wanted to go and see one of them for the answers.
2007-04-09 07:29:59 · answer #6 · answered by Mr Ed 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋