Though some have been around for centuries, Easter traditions and symbols have evolved over time. Many Easter traditions are not found in the Bible, as Easter is the celebration of the resurrection of Christ for Christians. The Easter bunny was reportedly introduced to America by the German immigrants who brought over their stories of an egg-laying hare. Today, we at Carve Me A Bear! Chainsaw Carvings would like to share the origins of the Easter Bunny.
What Does the Easter Bunny Represent in Christianity?
The Easter bunny has become a prominent symbol of Christianity’s most important holiday though the Bible makes no mention of a long-eared, short-tailed creature who delivers decorated eggs to well-behaved children on Easter Sunday. Rabbits, known to be prolific procreators, are an ancient symbol of fertility and new life, although the exact origins of this mythical mammal are unclear.
Easter Bunny Origins
The Easter bunny first arrived in America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania and transported their tradition of an egg-laying hare called “Osterhase” or “Oschter Haws,” according to some sources. This creature could lay its colored eggs as their children made nests. While decorated baskets replaced nests, the custom spread across the U.S. and the fabled rabbit’s Easter morning deliveries expanded to include chocolate and other types of candy and gifts eventually. Children often left out carrots for the bunny in case he got hungry from all his hopping as well. Another popular theory that some contend is the origin of the Easter Bunny is the myth of Ostara. In his work The Reckoning of Time, the eighth-century scholar known as the Venerable Bede wrote that the word Easter stems from Eostre, which is another version of the name Ostara. The word comes from an Anglo-Saxon goddess, Eostre, whose feast day in the spring coincided with the day of the Christian paschal celebration as elaborated by Fruchtman on this theory, saying that Bede, an English monk, wrote. However, it is entirely possible that Bede made her up though no other source mentions Eostre. Also, Bede makes no mention of rabbits or eggs being associated with her.
Where Does the Easter Bunny Live?
The Easter Bunny’s homestead is shrouded in mystery unlike Santa living at the North Pole. Some suggest that the Easter Bunny lives on Easter Island, a remote Polynesian island in the Pacific. On Easter Eve to deliver gifts and candy all across the globe as the Easter Bunny departs from Easter Island. Similar to the elves in Santa’s workshop, Easter Island is also said to house magical animals that serve as the Easter Bunny’s loyal helpers.
Why Does the Easter Bunny Deliver Eggs?
Where Easters eggs originated and why the Easter Bunny delivers them has several theories. One theory contends that Easter eggs are connected to pagan traditions. It was associated with pagan spring celebrations as the egg represented new life in the ancient world. Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ resurrection in Christianity. They continue to be much-loved traditions of the Easter holiday although the true origins of the Easter Bunny (and Easter eggs) may never be fully known or agreed upon.
Custom Chainsaw Carvings Picked Up or Shipped from Lincoln, Montana & Nampa, Idaho
If you favor the Easter Bunny, or any other animal, immortalize them with a fun, decorative chainsaw carving from Carve Me A Bear! Chainsaw Carvings.
