Every year, children look forward to the return of Peter Cottontail, that fluffy woodland critter that delivers baskets of treats and colorful eggs for them to find, but have you ever wondered about this Easter tradition and this popular creature?
There’s actually a lot of history behind this beloved symbol, in both Christian and pagan traditions, including why he’s associated with colorful eggs. Who knew!
Why a bunny? Well, he was first introduced in the 1700s in Pennsylvania, when German immigrants brought their tradition of an egg-laying hare named Osterhase. Not unlike Santa Claus, the rabbit would bring colorful eggs as gifts to good little children. In preparation, expectant children would make nests in which the bunny could leave the eggs, and many would also leave carrots for him to munch on during his journey.
Why does the bunny bring eggs when rabbits are actually mammals? Well, eggs, as well as rabbits, have long been an ancient symbol representing fertility, rebirth, new life, and all things associated with spring.
It’s interesting to note that around the world, it’s not always a bunny that brings Easter eggs. In Switzerland it’s the Easter Cuckoo Bird, in other parts of Europe there’s the Easter Rooster and the Easter Fox, and in Australia they anticipate the annual arrival of the Easter Bilby, which is an endangered marsupial that’s native to that country.
But here in the USA we are looking forward to the arrival of the Easter Bunny, so on April 12th we’ll be munching on chocolate bunnies and other treats. Happy Easter!
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