Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, but you won’t find chocolate eggs or a giant bunny in the Bible. So, where did they come from?
One theory traces the Easter Bunny back to Eostre, a pagan goddess of fertility whose symbol was—you guessed it—a rabbit. Rabbits and eggs both represent new life, which made them natural symbols of spring. Decorating eggs dates back to the 13th century, and by the 19th century, Russian high society was exchanging extravagant, jewel-encrusted eggs.
The Easter Bunny hopped over to America in the 1700s, thanks to German immigrants in Pennsylvania. They brought tales of Osterhase, an egg-laying hare whose colorful eggs were left in children’s handmade nests. The tradition spread, with baskets replacing nests and chocolate joining the mix. Kids even started leaving out carrots for the bunny—a sweet Easter spin on cookies for Santa.
And fun fact: Not every country has an Easter Bunny! Some celebrate with foxes or even cuckoo birds. No matter how you celebrate, Easter traditions continue to bring a mix of history, faith, and a little holiday magic.
Source: article from English Heritage