On European Easter cards, in kits for needlework and in cartoons, a white rabbit is often painted next to Easter eggs. What does it symbolize and where did it come from?
The Easter bunny or hare is a symbol of Easter in the West, and in Russia, Easter cakes and painted eggs are associated with this holiday.
In Europe and America, children believe that the Easter bunny finds colorful chocolate eggs and hides them in his house and garden. Children must find this place to get Easter decoration. Only obedient children who obey their parents all year long receive gifts from the rabbit.
The rabbit became a symbol of Easter a long time ago, back in pagan Germany. In those days, people worshiped the goddess of fertility Ostara. Celebrations in her honor took place with the onset of spring, before sowing the fields. The rabbit, as the most prolific animal, was the symbol of this goddess. After the Christianization of Europe, the rabbit remained an animal that was associated with the spring and the holiday. Later, he became a symbol of Easter: after all, a chicken could not bear bright and beautiful eggs, so the rabbit became a fabulous animal that brings delicacies to children.
Together with migrants, the legend of the rabbit came to America - and there the Easter rabbit became very popular: it was painted on postcards, embroidered on tablecloths and napkins. They made candy and gingerbread with the rabbit, and many stores sold toy Easter bunnies. It remains just as popular now.
