The History of the Easter Bunny

As a Christian, the first image that comes to your mind when you think of Easter might be the

cross or the empty tomb. For the general public, a plethora of media images and merchandise

on store shelves makes it more likely that the Easter Bunny comes to mind. So how did a rabbit

with a basket of eggs become a part of Easter?

There are several reasons for the rabbit to be associated with Easter, all of which originated

from pagan celebrations or beliefs. Easter comes during spring and celebrates new life. The

Christian meaning of new life through Christ and a general emphasis on new life are different,

but the two gradually merged, and any animals that produced many offspring, such as the hare,

were easy to incorporate into traditions. Perhaps another tie to Christianity was the hare or

rabbit’s burrow. Believers saw the rabbit coming out of its underground home as a symbol for

Jesus coming out of the tomb.

The Easter bunny, however, was not always an American tradition. The Easter hare came to

America with German immigrants, passing the hare’s role onto the common American rabbit.

Rather than the baskets of today, children made nests for the rabbit in hats, bonnets, or fancy

paper boxes. Once the children finished their nests, they put them in a secluded spot to keep

from frightening the shy rabbit. The appealing nests full of colored eggs probably contributed to

the spread of these customs. Back in Southern Germany, the first pastry and candy Easter

bunnies became popular at the beginning of the nineteenth century. This custom also crossed

the Atlantic, and children still eat candy rabbits, particularly chocolate ones, at Easter.

From all of us here at Unity Catholic FCU, may this beautiful springtime bring you the greatest

feelings of love, hope, and faith and maybe even a few chocolate rabbits to enjoy yourself! We

hope you have a wonderful Easter!