The Tale of the Easter Bunny

The Easter Bunny. Best pals with our friend Santa Claus and of course the Tooth Fairy, it’s this time of year those bunny ears make an appearance alongside an abundance of chocolate eggs! But who is the Easter Bunny and why is Easter symbolised by him/her?

Mystery has always surrounded the history of the Easter Bunny and in some countries he/she isn’t even a bunny! The most common tale starts from Pagan roots. The symbol of the rabbit has been used since pre-Christian times for Springtime festivals because of a rabbit’s excessive fertility. Rabbits are a perfect example of new life, and Spring is the time for newness – new flowers, a new year, a spring clean.

Easter began to be celebrated as Christianity spread and carried the motifs of the rabbit with it, symbolising Jesus’ resurrection.

Georg Frank von Franckenau then jumped on the bunny bandwagon in 1682 with his book De Ovis Paschalibus (About Easter Eggs) which first introduces the Easter Bunny – a hare that brings Easter eggs for children. This became German tradition.

Later, when these traditions arrived in Pennsylvania, children would make nests for the Easter Bunny to lay its coloured eggs.

And the rest is history, so they say.

The UK celebrate Easter with an array of chocolate, sweets and gifts to in pretty decorated baskets. And just incase you needed a little inspiration we’ve put together some egg-cellent Easter gift lists! For chocoholics check out our ‘Chocoholics Anonymous’ list and if you fancy a treat for the family or the pooch that’s a little different then take a look at our ‘Hoppy Easter’ list. And for something extra, extra special, take a look at our ‘Egg-stravagant Eggs’ list – dedicated to the biggest, most expensive eggs!