25 Mar 2010

THURSDAY THIRTEEN - Easter


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13 things about the Easter Bunny

1. The Easter Bunny as an Easter symbol bringing Easter eggs has its origins in Germany, both then in the Holy Roman Empire of German Nation, and southwestern Germany, where it was first recorded in a German publication in the early 1600s.

2. Rabbits and Bunnies: Rabbits are popular during Easter time because they are a reminder of spring and the new life that is abundant during springtime. They were the favorite animal of the spring goddess Eastre. The Easter bunny has its origin in pre-Christian fertility lore. The Hare and the Rabbit were the most fertile animals known and they served as symbols of the new life during the spring season.

3. The egg-laying bunny was mentioned for the first time in 1682 by the German Professor von Frankenau

4. The idea of an egg-laying bunny came to the United States in the 18th century. German immigrants in the Pennsylvania Dutch area told their children about the "Osterhas," sometimes spelled "Oschter Haws."

5. The first edible Easter Bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s and were made of pastry and sugar.

6. The precise origin of the ancient custom of coloring eggs is not known, but probably because eggs boiled with some flowers change their color, bringing the spring into the homes.

7. Many Christians of the Eastern Orthodox Church to this day typically dye their Easter eggs red], the color of blood, in recognition of the blood of the sacrificed Christ (and, of the renewal of life in springtime).

8. Green is also used in honor of the new foliage emerging after the long dead time of winter.

9.. Eggs, like rabbits and hares, are fertility symbols of extreme antiquity. Since birds lay eggs and rabbits and hares give birth to large litters in the early spring, these became symbols of the rising fertility of the earth

10. German Protestants wanted to retain the Catholic custom of eating colored eggs for Easter, but did not want to introduce their children to the Catholic rite of fasting. Eggs were forbidden to Catholics during the fast of Lent, which was the reason for the abundance of eggs at Easter time.

11. According to the tradition, children would build brightly colored nests, often out of caps and bonnets, in secluded areas of their homes. The "O_ster Haws_e" would, if the children had been good, lay brightly colored eggs in the nest.

12. As the tradition spread, the nest has become the manufactured, modern Easter basket, and the placing of the nest in a secluded area has become the tradition of hiding baskets.

13. Easter has become a commercially celebrated event, with shops and media advertising Easter around Spring. The Easter Bunny is usually a big part of Easter for younger children, so, it often apears on Easter commercials.

21 comments:

  1. Now I see where the came up with the phrase "Bang like bunnies" I'm just sayin' ...

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  2. Very interesting information. A lot of it is new to me so I learnt something this morning :)

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  3. Oh Wow!!! Thanks for this wonderful post :)

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  4. Thanks for this. I learned a lot. It's nice to know the story behind the baskets!

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  5. Interesting. I knew generally it was about spring and fertility, it's nice to have the details.

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  6. Good stuff. some new ones for me too. Bill always tells how he once got goat poohs in his basket because he had been a naughty boy.

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  7. That was fun learning about Easter bunnies. Loved the cartoon!

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  8. Huh, interesting. I've learned a thing or two. Thanks.

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  9. Very interesting information on Easter! I knew some of it but hadn't thought about it in a very long time.

    My blog is http://bluecountrymagic.blogspot.com.

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  10. Interesting information. I enjoyed reading it. I loved that cartoon at the end. Mama Bunnies must be very busy!! :.)

    Iris

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  11. Its so nice to be able to express Easter.
    I once made 30 easter cards which I put into plastic bags with things inside for children to assemble and glue so they would have a cheerful card for their parents or for whoever they wanted to give it to. I gave them to the teacher but she was not allowed to distribute them to the kids.
    So kids will grow and never really know this holiday and this is a shame. You know, when people are told to turn their heads away from history, it is not a good sign.

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  12. Interesting history. Regardless of the reason, I'm happy to see my Easter basket filled each year.

    My TT: Totally Obsessed

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  13. Thanks for the information on the custom of the Easter Bunny and Easter eggs.

    It seem pre-Christian Germans were a source of many customs brought into association with Christianity.

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  14. O Thanks for the info and for the laugh!h that comic is too funny!

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  15. Very interesting, thanks for sharing the information.

    This is my first visit to your blog, enjoyed reading your posts. Inviting you to my blog and leave your comments.

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  16. *smacks Thom!*

    This is all very interesting Gattina! I've always wondered HOW in the world an BUNNY came to be associated with Easter!? I'm still a little confused about how an "EASTER" Bunny could have been pre-Christian though - since Easter is the celebration of Jesus resurrection from the dead. I'll have to research that a little. I knew the eggs had to do with birth - or re-birth - and I assumed the baskets were "nests"... but did NOT know how the whole bunny thing EVER came to be! You were BUSY lookin' all this up! :)

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  17. comme nous travaillons sur le thème du cirque d'avril en juin, j'ai pensé faire faire à mes élèves une carte de pâques en forme de chapeau de magicien (haut de forme) et un lapin qui sort du chapeau avec l'inscription "joyeuses Pâques!"

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  18. Timely and entertaining '13' this week. Well done ;-)
    Hugs and blessings,

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