when did easter became all about bunnies
By violeta_va
@violeta_va (4831)
Australia
March 20, 2008 11:13pm CST
I hev no idea what the story is with the rabbit and Easter it looks like Easter is about rabbits not Jesus. I have not seen a single cross or anything Biblical this Easter its all about the rabbits. Can someone explain it to me. We (orhodox christians) have the eggs and that is the one chicken lay that we colour and decorate but I have no idea what is with the rabbit. Or and the easter egg hunt is that just a game or part of the religion?
2 responses
@Darkwing (21583)
•
21 Mar 08
The Easter bunny came from the Anglo Saxon's. Easter, previously Ostara/Eostre, was named after their Goddess Eostre. Her name related to the Dawn, as the Sun rises in the East, and therefore, to Spring and New Beginnings which is what the Pagan Festival of Ostara is all about. Eostre's animal was the hare, which became the Easter Bunny, and She was also associated with eggs, because eggs are a symbol of new life and new beginnings. Ostara is celebrated on Spring Equinox which takes place between the 20th and 22nd March, but is generally noted as 21st, the first day of Spring.
Brightest Blessings, and a Happy Easter/Ostara to you and yours.
@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
22 Mar 08
Well thanks for the information (my Easter is in April but thanks anyway) Now when I think about it christians throw a fit every time you mention Pagans but they never realise that in a way we all celebrate Paganism (I think that is the word)
@Darkwing (21583)
•
22 Mar 08
You're very welcome. Our Easter is whenever they decide it will be, sometimes March, sometimes April, but this year, for some reason, it's very early.
Yes, I think most religions are based on the ancient beliefs, which are now classed beneath the umbrella of paganism. They've just been tweaked to incorporate each religion's own deity. The ways of the Druids, Celts, Anglo Saxons, Wicca, seem to be scorned by those who adopted them into their religions all those years ago. Never mind.. we can cope. 
Brightest Blessings.
Brightest Blessings.@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
22 Mar 08
we can take whatever they tell us to take if they decide that it wasnt a cross but orb I am sure we would take that well as well :) when you think about it half the things are far from the truth (what I mean is the days and the way we do things)
1 person likes this
@Pigglies (9329)
• United States
6 Apr 08
I am an atheist and a huge rabbit fan, but honestly I wish the whole rabbit association with Easter would magically disappear.
Easter is a horrible thing for rabbits. The animal shelters are packed with rabbits after Easter because a lot of people think that they are cute presents. Rabbits can live 10+ years if properly cared for (my oldest rabbit is 13), they are definitely bad present ideas.
If rabbits were not associated with Easter, a lot less rabbits would be euthanized in the shelters. For non-Christians who just feel like celebrating Easter, pigging out on candy and hunting for plastic eggs is the best. :)
