How’s the bunny connected to Easter?

For the life of me, I couldn’t figure out why bunny and eggs are part of Easter celebration. Easter to me was all about celebration of Jesus ascended into heaven. Having children exposed me to something new each day. How we used to love dyeing eggs and Easter eggs hunting game. We loved to hide eggs and found as many as we could. –Yes. Yes! The kids and us, the grown ups :-)

Then I started to ask myself? As you know real bunnies without doubt don’t lay eggs. Where did this tradition come from and thanks to http://www.msnbc.msn.com the answer is revealed. 

--courtesy of fantasticalandrewfox.com

“According to University of Florida's Center for Children's Literature and Culture, the origin of the celebration — and the Easter bunny — can be traced back to 13th century, pre-Christian Germany, when people worshiped several gods and goddesses. The Teutonic deity Eostra was the goddess of spring and fertility, and feasts were held in her honor on the Vernal Equinox. Her symbol was the rabbit because of the animal’s high reproduction rate.”

“Spring also symbolized new life and rebirth; eggs were an ancient symbol of fertility. According to History.com, Easter eggs represent Jesus' resurrection. However, this association came much later when Roman Catholicism became the dominant religion in Germany in the 15th century and merged with already ingrained pagan beliefs.”

Interesting facts. How ancient traditions have managed to evolve through times and became part of our long standing culture and perhaps will be for many centuries to come. Simply fascinating!

Thank you for accompanying me on my journey visiting the connection between bunny and Easter. Now that you know … go out and have fun with those Easter eggs and last I checked, the bunnies and the eggs made with chocolates are really de-li-ci-ous! 

Happy Easter and happy eggs hunting!

Journey of Life