Okay, here it is. The rant that will take down Easter Bunny lovers everywhere. April 16, 2014, I posted that I had e-mailed Brach’s about the whole jelly bird egg thing, I concluded with – Now about that Easter Bunny … .
Like the origin of Easter, the origin of the Easter Bunny has roots that go back to pre-Christian, Anglo-Saxon history. The holiday was originally a pagan celebration that worshipped the goddess Eastre. She was the goddess of fertility and springtime and her earthly symbol was the rabbit. Thus the pre-Christian Anglo-Saxons worshipped the rabbit believing it to be Eastre’s earthly incarnation.
Spring also symbolized new life and rebirth; eggs were an ancient symbol of fertility. According to History.com, Easter eggs represent Jesus’ resurrection. However, this association came much later when Roman Catholicism became the dominant religion in Germany in the 15th century and merged with already ingrained pagan beliefs.
The first Easter Bunny legend was documented in the 1500s. By 1680, the first story about a rabbit laying eggs and hiding them in a garden was published. These legends were brought to the United States in the 1700s, when German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania Dutch country, according to the Center for Children’s Literature and Culture.
The tradition of making nests for the rabbit to lay its eggs in soon followed. Eventually, nests became decorated baskets and colorful eggs were swapped for candy, treats and other small gifts.
Still, still, still don’t get it. Easter is like the be all end all of religious holidays. But the Easter Bunny…. . Please. From what I’ve read, it’s been around for awhile though. So, it’s not like you can blame Hallmark for this one. I get the ‘renewal’ part. And, I do like the egg hunt thing. But to convince your child a bunny hops from house to house, leaving treats in baskets. Well, that’s just setting children up for disbelief on everything fictional.
Don’t get me wrong, I love cupid – no pun intended there. The Irish thing for St. Patrick’s Day works. I’m more of a St. Joseph’s Day guy myself. I’m Irish AND Polish so really – good on both. The Pumpkins and ghosts spook the Halloween scene accordingly. I’m even a Tooth Fairy dude. And, Santa well … . When we had to tell my youngest ‘the truth’… . That just broke my heart. Though, we insisted the Spirit of Christmas will always exist.
But – ugh – the Easter Bunny hopping around to deliver eggs and … . Just can’t do it; never have. From day one, I told my children there was no such thing. It’s not like it stunted their emotional growth in any way.
Oddly, my mother loves The Charlie Brown Easter special – It’s the Easter Beagle, Charlie Brown or some nonsense like that. Go figure. But, I do love my mother.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TbRi1hflGvM
The rant stops here.
By the way, there’s a sale on Brach’s Jelly Bird Eggs down the promotional aisle.
