Easter Bunny
Rabbits have been associated with springtime since ancient times. It is believed that
a symbol of the Anglo-Saxon Goddess of Spring Eostre was the hare. It was Eostre's
sacred animal since it was a symbol of fertility and the rebirth of nature following winter.
As rabbits are similar to hares and are very common everywhere, Christians changed the
symbol to the Easter bunny. So the modern symbol of the Easter bunny comes from pagan times.
The tradition of the Easter bunny leaving a basket of treats such as Easter eggs and
chocolates on Easter Day is common in America but not in Britain. Parents of American
children often hide eggs in the garden for children to find. Sometimes their children
leave out carrots for the Easter bunny. The idea of an egg-laying rabbit went to America
in the 1700's through immigrants arriving from Germany. They told their children to make
'nests' before Easter with their caps and bonnets and if they were good the Easter bunny
would leave them coloured eggs.