Wanted: Baskets to go with Bunny

How in the world did the tradition become Easter bunnies laying eggs, when rabbits obviously don't lay eggs?

The Easter Bunny concept has been around since the 1500s in the writings of the Germans, according to information on exoticpets.com. Germans who traveled to the Pennsylvania Dutch country apparently brought the German Easter Bunny traditions with them to America in the 1700s. The first edible Easter bunny reportedly was made out of pastry and sugar in the early 1800s, and the bunny was said to lay colorful eggs in the nests that children made out of bonnets.

Over time, the hats the children piled into hidden nests for the bunnies turned into baskets. Baskets are still hidden around homes, and children now use them to collect the colored on Easter egg hunts, .

Other Easter Origins

Easter itself has much different beginnings than the Easter Bunny, but for that, check out "Is Easter a Christian or Pagan Holiday?"

The goddess Eostre in Pagan celebrations was associated with fertility, therefore also associating rabbits and eggs with the celebration. Over time, missionaries transformed these celebrations to be for religious reasons and the rabbits and eggs remained, even though their meanings have changed.

In doing research for this article, one of the best summaries found was penned last April by a contributor to a fellow Patch site in Belleville-Nutley, NJ.

The author, , wrote that Christians celebrate Easter to venerate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Some aspects of modern Easter celebrations, however, pre-date Christianity. 

The name Easter comes from Eostre, an Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility. In the second century A.D., Christian missionaries who were trying to convert the tribes of northern Europe noticed their Christian holiday that commemorated the resurrection of Christ roughly coincided with the pagan springtime celebrations that focused on the triumph of life over death. The Christian Easter eventually absorbed traditional non-Christian symbols. 

In Medieval Europe, eggs were prohibited during Lent, and eggs laid during that time were often boiled to preserve them. Eggs were therefore a major component of Easter meals, and a prized holiday gift for children and servants. 

Throughout the ages, eggs also have been viewed as symbols of new life and fertility, and many ancient cultures (including the Egyptians, Persians, and Romans) used eggs during their spring festivals. 

Coloring eggs is an established art and they were used in various holiday games; parents would hide  for children to find, and children would roll eggs down hills. These practices live on today in Easter  and egg rolls.

Like eggs, rabbits have long been symbols of fertility, and in fact, were the symbol of Eostre. The concept of an “Easter Hare” comes from Germany, where tales were told of a white "Easter hare" who laid eggs for children to find. German immigrants also baked cakes for Easter in the shape of hares and may have originated the practice of making chocolate bunnies and eggs.

As for the Easter basket, in the past it was customary to bring baskets filled with early seedlings to Eostre to increase the chances of having a good harvest. Likewise, this goddess would carry around a basket of eggs. And the good Germans who brought us the Easter Hare believed that the rabbit would bring baskets full of goodies for children on Easter morning. 

Lastly, after being baptized, early Christians wore white robes throughout Easter week to represent their new lives. Those had already been baptized wore new clothes instead to symbolize their sharing a new life with Christ.  In Medieval Europe, churchgoers often took a stroll after Easter Mass, led by a crucifix or the Easter candle. Today these walks continue as Easter Parades. People show off their spring finery, including bonnets decorated for spring.

How are you celebrating Easter in and ? Share the various ways in the comments section here. And please do post all those great Easter photos via the "edit photos & videos" function associcated with this article so we can hop toward the enjoyment of them.