fun facts about easter

WTF Fun Fact 13317 – The History of the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny is a beloved symbol of Easter. But where did this tradition come from? Well, the history of bunnies (or hares) symbolizing spring religious observances can be traced back to pre-Christian times. Ancient civilizations celebrated the spring equinox and the return of fertility and new life and hares played a central role. Of course, that’s not the same as the history of the Easter Bunny.

The importance of the hare

According to Smithsonian Magazine (cited below), the hare was a symbol of new life in ancient Egypt and was associated with the goddess of fertility and motherhood, Eostre. But it may have dated back even further. As the note:

“In European traditions, the Easter bunny is known as the Easter hare. The symbolism of the hare has had many tantalizing ritual and religious roles down through the years.
Hares were given ritual burials alongside humans during the Neolithic age in Europe. Archaeologists have interpreted this as a religious ritual, with hares representing rebirth.
Over a thousand years later, during the Iron Age, ritual burials for hares were common, and in 51 B.C.E., Julius Caesar mentioned that in Britain, hares were not eaten due to their religious significance.”

The veneration of hares is practically prehistoric!

The history of the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny as we know it today is thought to have originated in Germany in the 16th century. The first recorded mention of the Easter Bunny was in a book by Georg Franck von Franckenau. He was a physician in Frankfurt who wrote about the Easter Hare bringing eggs for children to find.

During the 17th and 18th centuries, German immigrants brought the Easter Bunny tradition to the United States. The first edible Easter bunnies, made of pastry and sugar, were produced in Germany during the early 19th century. After that, the tradition of giving chocolate bunnies as Easter gifts spread throughout Europe and North America.

Today, the Easter Bunny is a central part of many Easter celebrations. In many countries, people still hold Easter egg hunts where children search for colored eggs that have been hidden around a park or other public space.

The tradition of the Easter Bunny continues to be a fun and beloved part of Easter celebrations around the world.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “The Ancient Origins of the Easter Bunny” — Smithsonian Magazine

WTF Fun Fact 13315 – The First Easter Eggs

The history of decorating eggs for spring festivals thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians, Persians, and Romans. For example, the ancient Egyptians believed that the egg symbolized the sun and its rebirth. And the Persians used eggs to celebrate the spring equinox, which marks the beginning of spring. The Romans also had a tradition of giving decorated eggs as gifts during their spring festival known as Hilaria. But when were the first “Easter eggs” decorated?

The first Easter eggs

As Christianity began to spread throughout Europe, the practice of decorating eggs was incorporated into the celebration of Easter. Christians viewed eggs as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus. The hard shell of the egg represents the sealed tomb. The new life that emerges from it represents the resurrection.

The custom of decorating eggs for Easter may have originated in medieval Europe. During Lent, the 40-day period of fasting and prayer leading up to Easter, Christians were not allowed to eat eggs or any other animal products. However, chickens would continue to lay them during this time, so the extras would be boiled to preserve them for later consumption.

On Easter Sunday, the eggs would be painted and decorated in bright colors to celebrate the end of the fast and the arrival of spring.

In Greece, Russia, and other Orthodox countries, eggs are dyed red to symbolize the blood of Christ and the resurrection. Then they’re exchanged as gifts and used in traditional Easter games and activities.

Eggs as art and for fun

In some cultures, eggs are more than just a symbol of spring and rebirth. They are also a form of art. The tradition of decorating eggs with intricate designs and patterns has been passed down through generations of families. As a result, it has become a beloved folk art in many parts of the world.

From the elaborate pysanky eggs of Ukraine to the delicate filigree eggs of Poland, this art is a beautiful and fascinating tradition that continues to thrive today.

— WTF fun facts

Source: “Here’s Why Easter Eggs Are a Thing” — Time Magazine