Everyone knows the rabbit’s reputation for being a fertile fellow – even those who have barely seen a hare on a bunny, let alone had them as pets.
As a child, I did have rabbits and knew their habits—that they preferred lettuce or carrot tops to the actual carrot, and no matter how fertile they were, they never ever laid eggs. Not even at Easter time.
As a science kid with science parents, I knew the whole Easter bunny thing was a lot of hooey—Trix for kids.
But how did it start? I followed a rabbit trail of info to find out. According to bunny trail sources, the pagan bunny/fertility thing has its first mention in the 1800s. Hundreds of years before that in Germany, someone came up with the Oschter Haas-bunny-egg-laying legend. Sounds like a writer, but it may have been a kind-hearted, non-farmery sort, willing to sacrifice a bit of garden to enjoy fluffy cuteness.
The legend hopped over with a German artist to the land of Philadelphia. Pennsylvania Dutch children would make bonnet and cap nests in the garden to attract bunnies. Then, after Easter service, the egg hunt was on. The rest is history.
This has been your hippity-hoppity Tuesday Trivia Tidbit.
Happy Resurection Day!
Update: Further research points to a Celtic West German connection.
Still, joy in a child and working are beautiful things. Yes?