10 facts about the Easter Bunny

1 The Easter bunny isn’t a bunny, he is a Hare.

2 The Easter Hare originated in Germany and in the 18th century German Immigrants introduced this tradition to America.

3 The German name for the Easter Hare is “Osterhase”

4 The Easter Hare was compared to Santa Claus, he would judge the children on their behavior. If you were good he would lay eggs for you, if you were bad, your basket would be full of air.

5 Hares, rabbits, chicks and eggs are all associated with fertility, so over time they also became linked to easter.

6 In the 19th century, immigrating Germans tried to introduce the “Osterhase” into Sweden. When the Swedish translated the name it became “Easter Wizard”. The Swedish still dress up like witches and wizards at Easter and they leave sticks or candy with their neighbors in exchange for candy.

7 The Easter bonnet was created in the 1800’s when German children would create nests with their hats so that the Hare would have somewhere to lay his eggs.

8 The pagan Goddess Eostre / Ostara is the goddess of spring and is also associated with the hare. There is a folk tale where Eostre had a hare that could lay eggs. The hare was able to do this because years prior he was a bird but was cursed to live his days as a hare.

9 Christians painted Easter eggs red to represent Jesus’ blood that he shed when he was crucified. They also represent resurrection and rebirth, as do bunnies and chicks.

10 The Easter Hare was born (created) in 1682 and is still present in our culture today.