Friday, April 10, 2009

Does the Easter Bunny lay Easter eggs?

The Easter Bunny is packing up his basket and will be dropping by countless houses this weekend. But where on earth did he get all those eggs?

Some people say that the rabbit, famous for its fertility, has been associated with another reproductive symbol, the egg, since time immemorial. With the rise of Christianity, both became representatives of Easter's themes of rebirth and renewal.

The explanation I like better, though, has to do with a simple mix-up. Hares in Scotland and other parts of Europe spend much of the daylight hours in "forms," little dug-outs they make that provide partial cover from the gaze of predators. The hare's form is very similar to the local plover's nest. According to legend, some springtime hikers startled a hare, who ran away from what looked like its form, but was in fact a plover's nest filled with eggs. The budding naturalists put two and two together and came up with...the Easter Bunny!

2 comments:

The Joy of Nesting said...

Hmmm and here I thought the Easter Chickens' advertising agency had cook up the Easter Bunny idea. Bunnies are cute and furry and huggable, chickens just aren't Besides the Easter Bunny is far more fleet of foot and capable of deliving the eggs before they turn green and start to smell funny!! :)

Have a wonderful Easter and find lots of beautiful eggs!! The Easter Bunny doesn't deliver to Mexico so there are no eggs for LW and I to find :(

Pattie ;)
Mazatlan Mx.

Sandra Evertson said...

Oh, I was so hoping to see that turtle in the egg!
I hope you and your family had a wonderful Easter Day! Our little Julliette doesn't normally wear costumes, only when I photograph her for something special, On Easter Sunday, we took her hiking and rock climbing which is her favorite thing to do!
My Best,
Sandra Evertson