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.