As the year progresses, the Christian holiday of Easter approaches.  Families gather together and kids become excited for the annual Easter egg hunt. Siblings might even get their picture taken with the Easter Bunny. But where did the Easter Bunny actually originate?

    This holiday is from the Christian religion, but there is no mention of a bunny.  According to history.com, the story of a small, egg-laying hare was said to have been introduced to America by German immigrants in the 1700’s, but the origin is still unclear.  Legends say that the ancient symbol of a rabbit is fertility and new life.  This is how the rabbit became connected to this holiday.

    Long ago, it was believed that this mysterious hare went around and would lay colorful eggs in nests that young children had created and would set out.  As time evolved, so did this tradition.  Nowadays, children go out and search for colorful eggs, usually filled with candy, prizes, and sometimes money.  They collect these eggs and carry them around in baskets instead of handmade nests.  The colorful eggs received are not only left by the Easter Bunny but families also come together to decorate real eggs themselves.

       Although the story of the Easter Bunny didn’t originate from Christian beliefs, the tradition of the rabbit brings families together.  So go get your baskets ready; the Easter Bunny will be here soon.