As Easter 2025 approaches, many are familiar with the symbols that have become synonymous with the holiday — namely, the Easter Bunny and the colorful chocolate eggs. While Easter is celebrated to mark the resurrection of Jesus Christ, it has also become closely linked with these seemingly whimsical symbols. Children across the U.S. often partake in Easter egg hunts, seeking out chocolate eggs hidden by the Easter Bunny. In stores, chocolate rabbits and long-eared decorations abound. But how did these symbols come to represent such a significant religious celebration?
Despite the popularity of these traditions, the connection between rabbits, eggs, and Easter is far from straightforward, with no single historical explanation. Rabbits and hares have long been associated with fertility, sexuality, and renewal. In ancient Greek mythology, hares were sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love, and were considered symbols of insatiable desire. In medieval Christian art, the Virgin Mary was often depicted holding a white hare, symbolizing her triumph over temptation and purity.
Rabbits also have a significant place in prehistoric and ancient cultures. Archaeologist Tok Thompson, writing for Smithsonian Magazine, highlighted that hares appeared in ritual burials as representations of rebirth during the Neolithic and Iron Ages. Their symbolism as creatures of regeneration fits with the idea of resurrection, tying them subtly to Easter’s themes.
But how did this symbolism transition from ancient mythologies to modern Easter traditions? The connection likely originates from folk practices in Germany and England. During the 1600s, children in Germany were said to have hunted eggs hidden by a mythical creature known as the “Easter Hare.” Similarly, in England, people celebrated Easter by eating hare meat, and folklore suggested that witches could transform into hares, making them a symbol of protection against evil spirits. German immigrants carried this tradition to America in the 1700s, where the “Osterhase” (or “Osterhaws”) — an egg-laying hare — became part of the American Easter celebration.
Additionally, there are theories that link the Easter Bunny to religious practices surrounding Lent. In the late sixth century, French monks were granted special permission to eat uneviscerated fetal or newborn rabbits during Lent, as they were considered more akin to fish than meat due to their watery womb. Over time, rabbit meat became a popular feast food, especially in England during the 13th century. However, as rabbit populations grew and became pests, they were replaced by other meats, such as turkey, by wealthier households.
Another key element in understanding the Easter Bunny’s evolution is the tale of Ostara, the Germanic goddess of spring. In ancient stories, Ostara is said to have transformed a bird into a hare, and the hare, in turn, laid colored eggs for her spring festival. This story, which was referenced in later works such as Jacob Grimm’s Teutonic Mythology, has contributed to the connection between hares and Easter. Folklorist Stephen Winick pointed out that the earliest reference to this association appeared in the 19th century, in works by Adolf Holtzmann, who speculated that the Easter Hare was tied to the goddess Ostara.
Despite the lack of conclusive evidence linking Easter’s symbols to a singular origin, it is clear that rabbits, hares, and eggs have long been tied to themes of fertility, renewal, and rebirth. Whether through pagan myths, folk traditions, or medieval practices, these symbols have evolved and become central to the holiday. The Easter Bunny remains a beloved figure, carrying with it centuries of history and myth, blending religious, cultural, and folkloric traditions into the modern-day celebration.
