Why chocolate eggs and rabbits?
Tim Colman
You found an egg where?
Easter is the most important holiday on the Christian religion’s calendar. Why then is it commemorated across the globe by a giant bunny rabbit delivering chocolate eggs throughout the night? It’s not like chocolate and rabbits are an integral part of Christian teachings.
Making the egg connection is reasonably easy. Put simply, the egg symbolises the genesis of the new life or resurrection. Originally eggs, supplied by chickens (not rabbits), were dyed or painted. Some craftsman went over the top with intricate designs, the most notable being the Faberge eggs made for the Russian Tsars. In the 19th Century, with advent of new chocolate production techniques in Europe, the eggs became chocolate and yummy. So how did a rabbit get its hands on them?
It appears German rabbits, in the 1600s, were the first to morph into the Easter Bunny. The rabbit, funnily enough, represents fertility thanks to its rather prolific breeding during Spring. Remember in Europe Easter falls in Spring so it’s a particular busy time for rabbits in the Northern Hemisphere. The Germans celebrated the egg bearing bunnies by eating a confectionery version of them; sugar and pastry not chocolate. German immigrants to America then shared the story and it wasn’t long until the bunny with basket (stored in the warren most of year) made his way to a supermarket near you. Coupled with the egg it again symbolises new life. How or why the rabbit lays the eggs though hasn’t really been answered.
The history though isn’t too important. What’s important is there are now places which stock so much Easter chocolate they need to be stored in a warehouse. If you’re worried about your figure there’s healthy chocolate options so you too can gorge over Easter. If you prefer to ignore the commercialisation associated with the bunny paint your own chicken eggs, even if it does disappoint the kids. Getting them their own rabbit might cheer them up.
How are you celebrating Easter this year?
