A fair question I think.
My kids were curious as to why and how a bunny is laying eggs anyway?
The Easter Bunny is mentioned in literature as early as the year 1620 and can be traced to German origins. The first edible Easter Bunnies were made there in the 1600's and consisted of pastry and sugar. The Easter Bunny was introduced to America by German settlers who arrived in Pennsylvania Dutch country in the 1700's. According to the tradition, children would build brightly colored nests, often out of caps and bonnets, in secluded areas of their homes. The "O_ster Haws_e" (pronounced Osterhause) would, if the children had been good, lay brightly colored eggs in the nest. As the tradition spread, the nest has become the manufactured, modern Easter basket, and the placing of the nest in a secluded area has become the tradition of hiding baskets.
Both Rabbits, Hares, and eggs are all known as symbols of fertility.
The precise origin of the coloring of eggs is also very interesting. Many eastern Christians to this day still dye their eggs red to signify the newness of springtime and also the blood sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
Wikipedia gives the following account:
German Protestants wanted to retain the Catholic custom of eating colored eggs for Easter, but did not want to introduce their children to the Catholic rite of fasting. Eggs were forbidden to Catholics during the fast of Lent, which was the reason for the abundance of eggs at Easter time.[7]
The idea of an egg-laying bunny came to the United States in the 18th century. German immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area told their children about the "Osterhas," sometimes spelled "Oschter Haws." "Hase" means "hare," not rabbit, and in Northwest European folklore the "Easter Bunny" indeed is a hare, not a rabbit. According to the legend, only good children received gifts of colored eggs in the nests that they made in their caps and bonnets before Easter.[8] In 1835, Jakob Grimm wrote of long-standing similar myths in Germany itself. Noting many related landmarks and customs, Grimm suggested that these derived from legends of Ostara.[9]
The idea of an egg-laying bunny came to the United States in the 18th century. German immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area told their children about the "Osterhas," sometimes spelled "Oschter Haws." "Hase" means "hare," not rabbit, and in Northwest European folklore the "Easter Bunny" indeed is a hare, not a rabbit. According to the legend, only good children received gifts of colored eggs in the nests that they made in their caps and bonnets before Easter.[8] In 1835, Jakob Grimm wrote of long-standing similar myths in Germany itself. Noting many related landmarks and customs, Grimm suggested that these derived from legends of Ostara.[9]
So there you have it kids. Ask and you shall receive.
Cool! Have you wondered how Easter got its name? Check this out:
ReplyDeleteThe name Easter actually comes from the pagan goddess Eastre. I know some of you are asking how this can be when Easter is a Christian holiday. Well the story begins a long time ago, during the reign of Constantine.
There was a civilization called the Anglo-Saxons who long before Christianity was born celebrated the return of spring with a grand festival to commemorate their goddess of offspring and springtime. This goddess was named “Eastre,” who, like many pagan gods and goddesses, was represented by an animal: the rabbit. Today we affectionately know Eastre as the Easter Bunny!
During the second century of Christianity, missionaries found these northern tribes and learned that their holiday coincided with the Christian observance of the resurrection of Christ. So, in order to move along the missionary effort they celebrated these two together and began using the Eastre holiday to remember the resurrection of Christ. This made it easier to convert these pagan tribes to Christianity.
Fascinating! I think this is one of the most informative blogs on the web. I love it Steve!
ReplyDeleteHearing you ask this questions a few times yesterday... I am happy to hear the results! : )
ReplyDeleteDad's "gohst writers" are going a very good job of sounding alot like him. If I didn't know better, I might actually think that this was his blog!
ReplyDeleteThanks to which ever of the 'gosts' wrote this one!
Erin