History and Origin of Easter Celebrations with Bunny and Eggs

According to a research, Easter owes its origin to the traditional Teutonic mythology. The phrase Easter came from the word “Eostre”, the ancient Teutonic goddess of spring and fertility symbolizing wealth and good times. This mythology was prominent in the 12^th century and the origin lies in the Paganism.

According to the German legend of an Easter hare, which later on got altered to rabbit or bunny, the Easter Bunny  carried a basket stuffed with sweets and coloured eggs to kids on Easter early morning. This concept is thought to be introduced to The United States by early German settlers, and also continues to this date.

Another reason is due to the association of Easter coinciding with a new development cycle, Easter egg presents are linked to the celebration of Easter. Easter lilies are offered as presents simply because they bloom across the spring time when Easter is celebrated.

According to the legend, the tradition and origin of Easter eggs is believed to be contained in German traditions. German immigrants to America are believed to have brought this tradition with them. During the festive season of Easter, small children were asked to leave Easter bonnets and Easter baskets in hidden and rare places where ‘Oschter Haws’ were supposed to leave treats and colored eggs inside baskets of kind children. This is in line with the tradition of Xmas where Santa Claus leaves presents for the good children. 

Similar to the history of Easter, the Easter bunny also has pagan origins. According to the ancient traditions and the German sources, the facts state that when the pagan goddess Eostre, the goddess of fertility and spring came across a deadly injured bird unable to take off with its wings, she took it on her heart to save the bird and transformed it into a rabbit. This bunny had special powers, the blessed one could lay eggs in any color of rainbow that it wished for, once in a year.

Legends have it that the bunny became proud and irritated the goddess Eostre later. In her anger and resentment, the goddesses banished the bunny to stars. But she softened, and granted the hare a wish. The bunny rabbit could return to earth once a year during the Easter spring festival. The bunny used this to give out colored eggs to kids as Easter gifts. The festive and fertile season of spring thus has the Easter bunny and Easter eggs originated and adopted from the pagan spring festival into the Easter festive season today.

The origin of Easter can be looked back to the spring festival being celebrated for centuries in the honor of pagan German goddess. It is easy to observe that the English term ‘Easter’ is follows from ‘Eostre’. The Christian celebration of Christ’s resurrection occurrence goes along with the spring festivals of the goddess Eostre.  Christian missionaries with the hope of converting pagans celebrated this festival as Easter. That is the reason we observe many pagan spring festival symbols and traditions during Easter festive season.

Celebrations of Easter are most popular among Christians. The occasion is marked with the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the third day following his crucifixion. Around the planet, millions of people celebrate Easter Sunday every year with zest and enthusiasm looking forward to meet their family and friend get-togethers. Christians dress in new clothes prepare to attend special Easter service in churches across the world, home décor uses Easter rabbits, chicks and Easter eggs all an important part of the typical Easter celebrations.