The significance of some Easter traditions may seem clear, but others may leave you scratching your head. For many Christians, the weeks leading up to Easter have been commemorated by Lent, a traditional period of sacrifice, reflection and repentance. Traditionally too many Christians forgo treats during Lent including chocolate, or even any sweets. This period ends with the lavish Bacchanalian celebration of Easter egg hunts, chocolate bunnies, and Easter baskets for kids: but why the bunny and what is the religious significance of a colored egg?
Let's start with the bunny. It turns out that the Easter Bunny is a relatively recent addition to the holiday, dating probably to the 17th century and the arrival of German immigrants to Pennsylvania. It seems that there is a relatively long tradition in Germany of associating a hare (not a rabbit) with the distribution of colored eggs to children who had been good. Note the edge to the story. Like Santa Claus there is judgment involved. The linguistic scholar Jakob Grimm, most known for his collection of fairy tales, linked the tradition to the goddess Ostara who was often celebrated with hares and eggs. The reality may have actually been much simpler: both rabbits and eggs are often seen as symbols of fertility and rebirth, a suitable association for spring. We won't mention the fact that in the German tradition the hare actually lays the colored eggs, often in your hat.
Like many other things American, it isn't worth celebrating though unless it is slathered in chocolate or at least dipped in sugar. This is the time of year then to rush for the store and be prepared to fill your children's baskets with confectionary symbols of fertility, no matter how wrong that sounds. Load up, Higgins, on those Cadbury eggs and those solid chocolate Bunny Big Ears (because size matters.) Surround the chocolate with Peeps marshmallow treats. Did you know that there are 5.5 million born every day? Or stop off on the way to church for a Dunkin Donut adorned with a Peep. Later you can always pick the flaked sugar off the children's cheeks in time for Easter supper. Remember too that Easter gets to be more fun as you get older and more forgetful, because you can hide your own eggs.