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History and Legends of the Easter Bunny
Rate it! Votes (1) | Comments (0) By Cheri Sicard Posted August 6th, 2007 FabulousFoods.com Recommends: Holiday Eggs, by Georgeanne Brennan, (2002, Ten Speed Press)	Holiday Eggs

Rabbits and "Easter Bunnies" are a carry over from Pagan times where they symbolized fertility and new life. This has to do with the fact that rabbits are notable for the speed at which they are able to reproduce.

Another origin of Easter rabbits lies in the mythology of Eostre, the Anglo-Saxon goddess for whom the holidays is named. Eostre reportedly kept pet rabbits who, amazingly, laid colored eggs -- two Easter symbols in one!

Many cultures have their version of the Easter Bunny and how he leaves eggs, candies or small treats for the children. The bunny has also been known to hide Easter eggs, much to the delight of children.

One particularly charming tradition comes from Germany, where children would build small "nests" in their caps or bonnets. When they awoke on Easter morning, the children would find that the Easter Bunny had filled the nests with colored eggs. Think of it as the Easter version of Christmas stockings. What a fun tradition to start with your family this year!

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