Easter is supposed to the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus, but when someone hears Easter, they think of the Easter Bunny and eggs. Since ancient times rabbits have been associated with spring. It is believed that Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring, Eostre had a hare as her companion. She is a goddess of the dawn and the spring, and her name derives from words for dawn, the shining light arising from the east. Our words for the "female hormone" estrogen derives from her name.
Rabbits have been associated with springtime since ancient times. The hare symbolizes fertility and rebirth. Later Christians changed the symbol of the hare to the Easter bunny.
The tradition is that the Easter bunny leaves Easter eggs on Easter Sunday. Parents hide eggs in the garden and the children go on an egg hunt to find them.
The idea of an egg-laying rabbit was taken to America in the 1700's German immigrants. They told their children to make 'nests' with their caps and bonnets, and if they were good the Easter bunny would leave them coloured eggs.
From a Christian perspective, Easter eggs are said to represent Jesus’ emergence from the tomb and resurrection.
Source: dailyjournalonline.com
