The Easter Bunnypage 2 / 4
The Easter Bunny
The Easter Bunny is one of the most beloved symbols of Easter. Over centuries, the rabbit has always represented fertility and, thus, spring. In fact, the rabbit is often associated with the goddess, Ēostre. And, it is from her name that the word “Easter” is thought to have evolved. It was, however, in Germany that the Easter Bunny was conceived. Joseph Grimm, of the infamous Brother's Grimm who collected and recorded such fairy tales as Little Red Riding Hood and Hansel and Gretel, wrote of the myth of the Easter Bunny in 1835, although mention of the Easter Bunny has been traced to German writing in the 1600's. Germany was also the birthplace of those delectable edible Easter bunnies we all love today. When Germans immigrated to Pennsylvania, they brought with them not only the edible bunnies but also the tale of Osterhase, a rabbit who would lay brightly colored eggs in “nests”, created by children with their bonnets and caps, hidden in the home. But, only if the children had behaved themselves!
Easter Bunny