April 13, 2022 – Theme Week Day 3

We’re halfway through our Easter theme week! The week wouldn’t be complete without talking about the Easter Bunny!
The exact origin of the Easter Bunny is unclear, but rabbits have traditionally been a symbol of fertility and new life in the Spring. It might seem a little weird that the Easter Bunny delivers eggs, but this may be due to a combination of iconography. Eggs were also an ancient symbol of rebirth and new life, and so both were associated with the spring celebration of Easter.
The Easter Bunny made its way to America in the 1700s with German immigrants who settled in Pennsylvania. In their tradition, an Easter Hare visited children on Easter, and was similar to Santa Claus in that it judged whether kids had been good or disobedient throughout the year. The hare carried a basket of colored eggs, candy, and toys to deliver. To prepare for its visit, kids would build the hare a nest for the treats. Over time, the hare became Americanized and morphed into the Easter Bunny we all know today.
Not every country celebrates the holiday with a bunny. In Australia, they have an Easter Bilby instead! Bilbies are endangered marsupials with long-rabbit like ears. To bring attention to conservation efforts and raise money for the cause, bilby-shaped chocolates are sold all across Australia around Easter. Learn more here.