These are the origins of the Easter Bunny - and why we celebrate the famous rabbit

By Helen Johnson
Published 9th Apr 2020, 15:10 BST
Updated 1st Apr 2021, 11:43 BST
The Easter bunny has long been associated with the holiday of Easter, but where does the famous rabbit come from and what’s his role? (Photo: Shutterstock)The Easter bunny has long been associated with the holiday of Easter, but where does the famous rabbit come from and what’s his role? (Photo: Shutterstock)
The Easter bunny has long been associated with the holiday of Easter, but where does the famous rabbit come from and what’s his role? (Photo: Shutterstock)

The Easter Bunny has long been associated with the holiday of Easter, but where does the famous rabbit come from and what’s his role?

Here’s everything you need to know about the Easter Bunny.

What are the origins of the Easter Bunny?

There are numerous tales surrounding the origins of the Easter Bunny.

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One is that the rabbit comes from the ancient pagan festival of Eostre, which some believe is where the celebration of Easter began.

Eostre honoured the goddess of fertility and spring, and her animal symbol is believed to have been a rabbit, which traditionally symbolises fertility.

Easter is also believed to have originated among German Protestants around the 1600s. Their Easter Hare, would judge children and decide whether they deserved an Easter egg hunt or not.

In America, some people believe the Easter Bunny was first introduced in the 1700s by German immigrants in Pennsylvania.

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