Discovering the Origin of the Easter Bunny

Trigger Warning: Pagan Origins

The Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is one of the most beloved symbols of the Easter holiday. All around the world, children anticipate the arrival of this furry, twitchy creature during the Easter season, its arrival only second to the excuse to eat Peeps. Just me? Ahem. Anyway, this cuddly cottontail brings yearly joy and delight as he/she/they deliver baskets filled with Easter eggs and other goodies. But have you ever wondered where the tradition comes from? 

Rabbit or Hare?

Let’s explore the origin of this fluffy holiday symbol and discover its fascinating history. Before we can hop right in, we must first clarify the difference between rabbits and hares. Stick with me for a moment. There is a reason for this bit of information. They both belong to the Leporidae family but are different in several ways. 

Hare

Hares are typically larger and have a more robust body with longer hind legs and ears. Think Texas Jackalope. They thrive in open fields and are solitary animals. 

Bunny Rabbits

On the other hand, rabbits are social creatures and live in groups underground. They also have shorter ears and legs and are smaller in size. 

The History of the Easter Bunny

I have to be honest. When I started googling Easter Bunny legend, I was hoping to find some link to vampires, werewolves, or witches, but no such luck. Still, I found some interesting stuff. 

The Pagan Stuff

The rabbit has been a symbol of fertility since ancient times. The pagans (I warned you) who celebrated the spring equinox worshipped the goddess of fertility, Eostre. They symbolized her with a hare that had the ability to reproduce at an incredible rate.

In Folklore

In German folklore, the Easter bunny first appeared in the 1500s as the “Osterhase.” It was believed that the hare laid eggs on Easter eve and delivered them to children’s homes. 

That time Americans culturally appropriated the Easter Hare, but it’s all okay because they changed it to the Easter Bunny.

The Easter bunny became popular in America when German immigrants brought their Easter traditions to the States in the 1700s. Because bunnies are so much cuter than hares, right? Eh, I have to admit that I’m partial to hares. But I digress… Over time, the Easter bunny became a part of the Christian Easter celebration, symbolizing rebirth and renewal. Bunny costumes and rabbit-shaped chocolates now flood the stores during Easter. 

So, while you’re biting the ears off of a chocolate rabbit, pause for a moment to consider the Easter Bunny’s long and intriguing history. From ancient pagans honoring the goddess of fertility to German folklore, this delightful animal has become an important part of spring festivities worldwide.

Although I was disappointed by the lack of supernatural connections to the Easter Bunny, I now have a better understanding of why these little critters became an essential part of the Easter holiday.

Happy Easter!