Where Did the Easter Bunny Come From?
We all know the Easter Bunny shows up every spring, dropping off eggs and candy like it’s totally normal—but have you ever wondered how that became a thing?
Turns out, this fluffy tradition has deeper roots than you’d expect. Let’s take a look.
Spring = New Life (and Rabbits)
Long before Easter baskets and chocolate eggs, people were already celebrating the arrival of spring. It’s the season of growth, renewal, and new life—and rabbits, known for their fast-paced reproduction, became a symbol of fertility and abundance in many ancient cultures.
So even before the Easter Bunny became a holiday mascot, the rabbit was already linked to spring in a big way.
The Eostre Connection
One theory traces the origins of the Easter Bunny back to Eostre, a pagan goddess of spring and fertility. Legend says she had a special connection to hares, and some stories claim she even transformed a bird into a hare that laid eggs. While the historical record is a little murky, the connection between spring, fertility, and a magical hare has stuck around.
Fun fact: The word “Easter” may have actually come from her name.
Germany’s Egg-Laying Hare
The first real appearance of the Easter Bunny as we know it came from 1600s Germany. Kids were told about the “Osterhase,” a hare that laid colorful eggs for well-behaved children. They’d even make little nests to leave out, hoping to wake up to a few surprises.
When German immigrants came to America, they brought the tradition with them—especially in Pennsylvania, where it started to spread.
So, Why Eggs?
Eggs have long symbolized new life, especially around springtime. In many parts of Europe, people used to decorate eggs as part of spring celebrations. That tradition naturally worked its way into Easter, and once chocolate eggs entered the mix, it pretty much sealed the deal.
From Folklore to Family Tradition
These days, the Easter Bunny is more about fun than folklore. Whether or not you’re into the mythology behind it, it’s a tradition that’s stuck—part spring celebration, part childhood nostalgia.
So next time you’re filling baskets or hiding eggs, you can thank a mix of old legends, German folklore, and a whole lot of spring symbolism for the tradition.
Warm regards,
Beth Ferester
Owner, Corcoran Ferester Realty