Origin of the Easter Bunny

The Easter Holiday has gone through much change over the years, and when you think about it, the meaning of Easter has changed most significantly. Easter, and the days leading up to it, just like Christmas, started out as a religious tradition. Some folks still hold strong to the religious aspects associated with Easter, but at some point things changed. For the majority, the focus shifted from celebrating someone who rose from the dead, to an overgrown rabbit carrying eggs. The Easter Bunny grew in popularity matched by the infamous Santa Claus we recall on Christmas. Imagine how Jesus Christ must feel when the occasion of his birth is celebrated by a fat bearded guy in a red suit and the occasion of his death is better known for some giant rabbit leaving eggs and candy to rot children's teeth. The meaning of Easter has sure changed through the ages, but it is nice to see that some people are returning to the original aspects associated with Easter. The real question is when, why, and how did this happen?

To even begin to answer this question, we must take a look back at the" roots" of the Holiday. What exactly is Easter, and why do we celebrate it? Some people might find this to be an easy question, but the truth is, majority of people don't know. Instead of just one meaning of this Holiday, there are actually two; the Christian Easter and the Pagan.

The Pagan's, who don't have any faith in main stream religion such as Christianity, believe that Jesus Christ's resurrection was nothing but a myth, along with many other stories the Christian's believe. The Pagan's origin of Easter dates back to ancient times, and involves the birth of Queen Semiramis son, Tammuz. Tammuz was popularly known as Nimrod, the rebellious dead husband of Semiramis, reborn as Tammuz. Tammuz became, "sacred in the ancient religion" (The Pagan origin of Easter). Since so many people of the time were desperate in search for their promised savior, they were more than happy to worship to Tammuz (or Nimrod Reborn). Before long, in addition to worshipping Tammuz, the people of Babylon were worshipping Semiramis herself, as the goddess of fertility.

On top of celebrating the rebirth of Tammuz, the Pagan's were very passionate in celebrating nature and the spring equinox, a significant holiday in many religions, including Christianity. Celebrating the beginning of spring may be among the oldest and most important holidays in human culture. Occurring every year on March 20th, 21st, or 22nd, the spring equinox marks the end of winter and beginning of spring. Biologically and culturally, it represents for northern climates the end of a "dead" season and the rebirth of life, as well as the importance of fertility, purity, and peace.

In comparison with the Pagan's, The Christian's reflected the Holiday as the oldest and most important festival, celebrating the rebirth of Jesus Christ, son of Mary and Joseph. Readings in the Christian Holy Bible suggest that