Why do we hide eggs at Easter? Where does the Easter bunny tradition come from?

Easter is a perfect celebration for bringing together the family for some fun. While a Christian festival by origin much of its symbolism is taken from aspects that are not featured in the bible, namely the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.

The tradition of hiding eggs at Easter is believed to have originated from pagan spring festivals that celebrated new life, the spring equinox, and new beginnings. During these festivals, eggs were decorated and given as gifts to symbolise the rebirth of nature after winter.

As Christianity grew in Europe in the 1st century, pagan festivals were adapted for the new religion. The eggshell was seen as a symbol of the tomb from which Jesus emerged, while the egg itself represented new life.

Over time, the tradition of decorating and hiding eggs at Easter became popular among Christians, and it remains an important part of Easter celebrations in many cultures around the world. Today, many families and communities continue to hide eggs for children to find, often as part of Easter egg hunts or other festive activities.

The tradition of the Easter bunny is believed to have originated in Germany in the 17th century. According to legend, a hare would lay eggs and hide them in the grass for children to find during the Easter season. German immigrants brought the tradition to the United States in the 18th century, where it became popularized and evolved into the Easter bunny we know today.

Like the egg, the bunny came to represent the promise of new beginnings and the resurrection of Jesus Christ.