We ought to say don't question it and just enjoy the chocolate, but that's unlikely to satisfy your FAQing appetite so we'll burrow deeper and aim to offer an egg-ceptional answer.
The Easter Bunny in fact originates from the festival's connection with the pagan goddess Eostre. Eostre (sometimes spelt Oestre) was a fertility goddess from whom we derive the word "oestrogen" and she is closely associated with fertility symbols such as eggs. The rabbit is known as a highly fertile creature (read rampant rabbit) and hence an 'obvious' choice for Easter symbolism.
Some have suggested that the Easter 'bunny' is more likely to be a hare; these are considered the sacred creatures of Eostre. This theory dates back to the ancient Egyptians who believed them to watch the moon at night. Some refute the suggestion of a 'man in the moon' and believe there is in fact a hare in the moon. Have a close look at the full moon, you'll be surprised. The 'modern' Easter Bunny appears to have originated in 16th Century Germany - the bunny was known as Oschter Haws and brought gifts of chocolate, candy and eggs to well-behaved children.
Us FAQers love the idea of a giant supernatural bunny laying billions of chocolate eggs in one night. We've learned not to question it, in case he gets wind of any disbelief and deprives us of our choccie goodies.
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1 comment:
It's amazing what people think of FAQing - this has just never ocurred to me before and probably never would've! That bunny looked a bit disturbed!
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