lauracipolla

I want to ask a probably VERY silly question, but being as I am from this southern country, where we do give chocolate eggs to children for Easter but rabbits are mammals who don't lay eggs and are not bothered at this time of the year... I always wondered what was the connection between the Easter rabbit and the sweets? what's the origin of the tradition? why do people (according to my movie-experience) have huge picnics where children go egg-hunting, with baskets like Little Red Riding Hood...? what's the legend or story behind it all?

anyone knows? thanks a lot! and Happy Easter for all!

Frank van den Eeden

What is Easter ?

The Jews commemorate the liberation of the Jewish people from the Egyptian pharaoh. (Mozes, the different plagues, the parting of the sea,etc...)

Jezus was on his way to Jeruzalem to celebrate Easter, when he was caught and then crucified. The commemoration of the resurrection (three days after His death) is Easter for the Christians.

Easter eggs : Comes from the Middle Ages. The Catholic Church forbade eggs (and meat) during Lent.
But precisely at this time of the year, chickens tend to lay lots of eggs. This resulted in a surplus of eggs.
So they were given as presents, often boiled hard for longer keeping.
And also nicely decorated.

I have no clue where the Rabbit comes in !

__________________
beste groeten - sincères salutations - kindest regards - atentamente - mit freundlichen Grüßen

lauracipolla

Wow, thanks Frank! At least the "egg" part of the mystery is solved. We need some help with the bunny now... (but I guess those who know are busy chasing it or something?)

(If you don't mind, it's Jesus, Jerusalem and Moses...).
;-)

Frank van den Eeden

thanks, sure I know, but I translated it from Dutch and didn't pay attention.
But three times the same mistake only counts once , right ?

__________________
beste groeten - sincères salutations - kindest regards - atentamente - mit freundlichen Grüßen

vicente

Hi Laura:

"Easter eggs and Easter bunnies both symbolize fertility and new life".

http://mysite.du.edu/~ssadler/Easter.html

"The bunnie was not always a part of our celebration of Easter, or at least not as we know it today. The tradition of including bunnies or hares into the Easter holiday started with Pagan traditions long before Christianity. The reason bunnies and hares were included with the celebration of spring is that spring has often been regarded as the time for new beginnings, for fertility, new growths, rejuvination and prosperity. Bunnies are some of the animals that multiply the fastest: female bunnies have several babies per litter and can be pregnant many times per season. This is the reason that we often hear the phrase "multiply like bunnies" or "breeding like hares."

http://easter.all-the-holidays.com/e...ome-from-.html

vicente

lauracipolla

Ah! Thanks a lot, Vicente, for the second piece of the puzzle, haha... The thing is that "this side of the Equator", Spring arrives in September (in fact, in Argentina, we all have picnics on the 21st, with singing and outdoors partying, celebrating both Spring Day and Students' Day) -therefore, it didn't come to my mind the association of Easter and Spring...
;-)

emilyb

Speaking of the famous bunny Happy Easter :-)

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Emily B

Ezequiel

Wow, it's amazing how much you can learn just by asking!! I had no idea of any of this... And I guess not so many people know about this, but they give easter eggs anyway =) Ignorance rules :P

sabrina

Thanks for the enlightment regarding rabbits. I didn't know this, but considering many religious traditions are in some way related to pagan festitivies, it really makes sense to me...By the way, a Very Happy Easter to you all!!