Here at Pretty Odd, we love a mascot - Whether it's the butterfly in our logo (and our 'points' system when you shop with us!); Donnie our newsletter-carrying pigeon who wings his way to your inbox every month; or Winnie our witchy familiar who adorns our mugs and visits us every Halloween - but an Easter bunny who leaves eggs every Easter? How did that begin?!
Easter is the time in Christian tradition where we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, so naturally the cross is one of the main symbols of the season. Other symbols of Easter include lambs (another reference to Christianity which highlights the themes of innocence and sacrifice), as well as chicks and flowers - more symbols of spring, the time of year that Easter happens.
However, one theory surrounding the popular 'Easter Bunny' mascot, comes from Pagan roots and the Germanic goddess of fertility, Eostre. Symbolising new birth, spring and new beginnings, her symbols were said to be eggs and hares (and as you may know, bunnies are known for their breeding!)
Another theory strengthening the links between Germany and the Easter Bunny, and perhaps the most popular theory for how the Easter Bunny came to be, is that German settlers in 1700's Pennsylvania brought their tradition of the 'egg-laying hare' or 'Osterhase/Oschter Haws' with them. (First mentioned in Franckenau's 'De Ovis Paschalibus' ('On Easter Eggs') in 1682). Not every country associates bunnies with Easter - sometimes it's a fox or cuckoos, thus giving more evidence that the bunny had its roots in German folklore. Children often left out carrots for the Easter Hare, and received a nest of coloured eggs in return. (Not too dissimilar to the German folktale of Krampus, or even Father Christmas). Eventually baskets replaced nests, and chocolate and candy replaced the eggs. The hare also has links to medieval Christianity, (including the idea that hares were able to produce offspring without a partner!)
There is also the less well known theory that the egg represents Jesus' tomb, although this isn't as popular a theory as others. Hundreds of years ago, churches encouraged giving up eggs for Lent. Medieval children would beg door to door for eggs on the Saturday before, hoping to enjoy them once Lent had passed. Today we celebrate Easter with 'egg hunts', feasting (hot cross bun, anyone?!) and get-togethers, much like they have done all throughout history. Temporarily banned in 1647 by Parliament, but still the most important date in the Church calendar - even as holidays 'decreased' by the mid-century, Good Friday was still one of the two national days off, alongside Christmas day. A time for deep religious observance and community rituals, and celebrations, the same could be said for Tudor and Victorian practices - which often also included fairs, bonnet parades and a time of new clothes (often giving the poor their hand-me-downs).
Lots of other countries also keep the egg tradition. Decorating eggs dates back to the 13th century, and is popular in many European countries such as Ukraine, where it's called 'Pysanky' - the process of decorating eggs with beeswax and dye. 19th century Russian high society decorated and gifted jewel-encrusted eggs! In France, only Easter Monday is deemed a public holiday, as Sundays are still always seen as a day of rest.
Victorians invented greetings cards - something we still send during Easter. Although Victorian and Edwardian cards can be quite strange, they all seem to evoke the same lovely sense of new life in the spring and brighter days ahead. It's enough to inspire some spring cleaning!
How will you be celebrating Easter this year? We'd love to hear what you think!
The Pretty Odd Team x
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