Rabbit Tales

Rabbit Tales

Norse goddesses, hares, and painted eggs

The arrival of Easter ushers in a mosaic of symbolism and rituals, where the sacred narratives of Christianity converge with pagan iconography. At the heart of both celebrations is an unlikely icon – the Easter bunny – its fluffy, sweet cottontail concealing a rich history of folklore and spiritual tradition. From the Norse goddess Eostre to the ostentatious NYC Easter Parade, discover that uncovering the history of Easter is as delightful as unwrapping an electric yellow Peep.

THE GODDESS AND THE HARE

In Norse mythology, legend speaks of a beguiling figure – Eostre (or Ostara), whose name provided the linguistic root that would one day spring into our modern word "Easter." Recent archaeological findings seem to validate the worship of this Norse goddess in regions of England and Germany, where her feast day coincided with the spring equinox. Saint Bede, an English monk, historian, and scholar, noted in "De Temporum Ratione" ("The Reckoning of Time") in 725 AD, that the ‘English’ name for the month when Easter occurred was Eosturmonath—a name apparently derived from the pagan festival dedicated to this eponymous deity. Eostre's essence is deeply intertwined with themes of spring and fertility, of love and sensuality, frequently portrayed with her symbolic animal, the hare.

SACRED RABBITS

At first glance, the connection between the Easter bunny and Jesus Christ, the central figure of Christianity, may seem puzzling. However, this fluffy-tailed ambassador of spring has roots stretching back to ancient pagan traditions, where rabbits were exalted as sacred emblems, evoking the transformative cycles of life, death, and renewal—echoing the story of resurrection and spring awakening. From the classical Greek and Roman eras through the Renaissance period, hares frequently manifested in artistic and literary works as emblems of sexuality and reproductive vigor. Conversely, the Virgin Mary was often depicted accompanied by a white hare or rabbit, signifying her triumph over carnal temptation. For the ancient Greeks, rabbits held deep ties to the goddess Aphrodite - the embodiment of love, beauty, and marriage. These furry creatures were viewed as possessing "the gift of Aphrodite" through their remarkable capacity to procreate. Exchanging a rabbit carried the sentiments of love, whether as a romantic offering between partners, or presented to a barren wife in the hopes of enhancing her fertility. Carvings adorning Greek and Roman tombs reinforced this symbolic association, depicting rabbits consuming grapes and figs - imagery symbolic of fertility, rebirth, and the eternal cycle of life and death.

THE MYTHICAL OSCHTER HAWS

In medieval Germany, the Oschter Haws (Easter Hare) played a role similar to that of Santa Claus. Accounts from 1600s Germany describe children hunting for Easter eggs hidden by the Easter hare. According to German folklore, children would create nests or baskets and place them in hidden spots around the house. The "Oschter Haws," a mythical bunny, would then visit homes and lay colored eggs and treats in the nests for the children to find on Easter morning. Over time, the custom spread across the United States, where baskets filled with jelly beans, chocolate eggs, and Peeps (introduced by the Bethlehem, Pennsylvania-based candy manufacturer Just Born in the 1950s) became a common part of Easter celebrations. Decorating eggs for Easter is a tradition that dates back to at least the 13th century, according to some sources. One explanation for this custom is that eggs were formerly a forbidden food during Lent, so people would paint and decorate them to mark the end of the period of penance and fasting, then eat them on Easter as a celebration.

SUNDAY BEST

England’s 19th-century Victorian period greatly influenced Easter fashions, transforming the holiday into a celebration marking winter's end and spring's colorful, warm rebirth after Lent's austerity. Opulent women's styles reigned, with the holiday providing an occasion to flaunt elaborate, fashionable outfits. Donning large, flower-adorned Easter bonnets became a symbol of affluence and taste, while the adornments themselves – lilies, daffodils, ribbons, feathers, and even figurines – carried symbolic undertones of renewal, fertility, and the vibrancy of spring, reflecting the era's love for hidden sartorial meanings. In New York City, the Easter Parade tradition dates back to the mid-1800s when the upper crust of society would attend Easter services at various Fifth Avenue churches, then stroll outside afterward, showing off their new spring outfits and hats. If you couldn’t afford a new outfit, women would buy a hat or men, a new tie. Grosgrain ribbon was a favorite to spruce up an old ensemble. The tradition reached its peak by the mid-20th century, and in 1948, the popular film “Easter Parade” was released, starring Fred Astaire and Judy Garland and featuring the music of Irving Berlin. The title song includes the lyrics: “In your Easter bonnet, with all the frills upon it/You’ll be the grandest lady in the Easter parade.”