Easter Traditions

The Easter Bunny

The bunny as an Easter symbol may have it's origins in Germany, where it was first mentioned in German writings in the 1500s. Edible pastry and sugar Easter bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800s.

The Easter bunny was introduced to American folklore by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 1700s. The arrival of the "Oschter Haws" was considered "childhood's greatest pleasure" next to a visit from Christ-Kindel on Christmas Eve. The children believed that if they were good the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest of colored eggs.

The children would build their nest in a secluded place in the home. The use of elaborate Easter baskets would come later as the tradition of the Easter bunny spread through out the country.

The Easter Egg

One of the best-known Easter symbols is the egg, which has symbolized renewed life since ancient days. The egg is said to be a symbol of life because in all living creatures life begins in the egg. The Persians and Egyptians also colored eggs and ate them during their new year's celebration, which came in the spring.

Today many people still color Easter eggs and decorate them with fancy patterns and symbols.

Egg-rolling is a present-day Easter custom that takes place each year on the lawn of the White House, in Washington, D.C.

The Easter Lily

Easter Lilies are used to decorate churches and homes. The large, pure white blossoms remind Christians of the pure new life that comes to them through the Resurrection of Jesus.

The white lily stands for purity. Artists for centuries have pictured the angel Gabriel coming to the Virgin Mary with a spray of lilies in his hand, to announce that she is to be the mother of the Christ child. The lily is also the sign of the Resurrection. The white Madonna lily was used for years as the Easter lily. It often failed to bloom in time for Easter, however, and so Bermuda lilies have been substituted.