Easter Bunny Origins

The Easter Bunny, like so many other Easter time symbols, has nothing to do with the story of the resurrection of Christ, but has its origins in the prolific litters of newborn rabbits celebrated in the springtime festivals of many religions. Joining with the egg as a fertility symbol, the bunny finally achieved its modern definition in the U.S. late in the nineteenth century, marketed by candy companies and greeting card merchants as both a deliverer and layer of brightly colored eggs. In Christian traditions, the colorful eggs were a special treat offered to all after the forty day fast of the Season of Lent, during which the consumption of eggs was forbidden. Not to be upstaged by this Roman Catholic tradition, German Protestants also celebrated the springtime custom of gathering and dying eggs which were arranged in elaborate handmade nests that later translated to Easter baskets. The Bunny version of Santa Claus, delivering decorated eggs as gifts to deserving girls and boys, was the final bonus. (Image from The Story and Legends of Easter; a PowerPoint presentation)