One side of the story says that rather than being Called the Easter bunny, it would be more appropriate to say the Easter hare. The hare came from the pagan celebration of the goddess Eostra; which is where the word Easter comes from. Eostra had to do with fertilization which connected the hare's eggs also as a symbol. Also, they say the hare is associated with the moon which may indirectly associate with Easter because the fact that Easter is determined by the phases of the moon. In case you didn't know, the first Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox, march 21st.to
Another side to it is the natural appearance of a rabbit is a creature that lays bright colored eggs as a treat for children was documented in Germany in the 1500s. Children waited for Oschter Haws on Easter just like they wait for Santa Clause on Christmas. This tradition seemed to have traveled with settlers to America in the 1700s. At this time the Easter bunny became a strong symbol of the holiday known as easter. once again, this is more a belief than a fact.
The common belief of easter to Christians and Catholics is an religious one. After jesus was crusified on the cross, he said he would rise on the third day. When he did, that day was known as easter Sunday. To this day many people believe and celebrate this as Easter Sunday.
In Conclusion, not only are there different beliefs for there being a bunny involved in this holiday, but there are different explanations for this holiday as a hole as well. Some say its say its symbolic to the goddess Eostra, as well as some say it was due to Oschter Haws. Either way, its a still a holiday that is known around the world, we just have a few ideas of where the mascot originated from.
