Does anybody have any idea what a little bunny dressed in colorful coveralls and carring a basket filled with chocolet Eggs and Hardboiled Chicken eggs all painted with brite colors has to do with Easter and the reserection of Christ?

Why does the Easter Bunny then leave these eggs out side in the garden and lawn for small childern to hunt for them and then later to eat?

Does this only happen in the United States or do other countries celebrate this way too?

Any Happey Easter to all. [img]smile.gif[/img]

one last question; why doesn't he or she (the Bunny) get 8 little tiny raindear and a sleigh to help deliver the eggs. LOL. :D

I honestly don't think the easter bunny and the Christian celebration are directly related. According to Food network the tradition of painting eggs is about 6000 years old, I haven't researched it myself so I can't vouch for accuracy. However if they are correct then there definately isn't a direct link. At least none that I know of.

Anywho, <font size="4" color="turquoise">Happy Easter!!</font>

In England, we rarely, if ever, have easter egg hunts in the garden. However, as we are easily influenced by American tradition, many families may have taken the idea and practice it.

Interesting questions, crimson. I shall have to research it further.

Happy Easter right back at you, and to everyone here at Ironworks! [img]graemlins/thewave.gif[/img]

ps: LOL at last comment ;)

It's the other way round dude. If Americans have easter egg hunts, they were influenced by old European traditions, not the other way round.
Easter is originally a pagan celebration. Eostre was a pagan (Teutonic) goddess of spring, fertility (hence the eggs) and dawn. Easter was celebrated on the spring equinox. When Europe was christianised the Christian converters incorporated pagan ritual and tradition into their religion so as not to make the transition for the newly converted too difficult.

PS. Nitpick: it's resurrection.

[ 04-07-2004, 04:59 PM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

It's the other way round dude. If Americans have easter egg hunts, they were influenced by old European traditions, not the other way round.
Easter is originally a pagan celebration. Eostre was a pagan (Teutonic) goddess of spring, fertility (hence the eggs) and dawn. Easter was celebrated on the spring equinox. When Europe was christianised the Christian converters incorporated pagan ritual and tradition into their religion so as not to make the transition for the newly converted too difficult.

PS. Nitpick: it's resurrection. </font>[/QUOTE]Wow, you learn something new every day [img]smile.gif[/img] ! So how come we don't do it anymore? Do they do it in the Netherlands, Mel?

Oh and this is real bad. On the tv they were advertising toys and stuff and said "Hey everybody, have you got your easter presents ready?". They've already commercialised Christmas and now they're turning Easter into a present-giving day. Christmas is understandable as it's the birtday of Christ 'n all, but Easter has nothing to do with giving presents. My RE teacher totally agreed as well... Any opinions?

Easter presents?? Ridiculous. I mean, my mother usually prepares an easter breakfast and puts a sweet little something for everyone on the plates, but that's just how she is: she always gives people generous little gifts. To institutionalise and commercialise yet another day for giving gifts is sickening IMO. Don't we all have enough already? Why not donate the cash to a charity in stead if you feel you MUST spend something?

And yeah, we do paint and hide eggs in the Netherlands. [img]smile.gif[/img] Or at least some people do...

[ 04-07-2004, 06:00 PM: Message edited by: Melusine ]

In Sweden, we don't bother hiding and hunting for the eggs at all, we just eat them straight away.

Yeah us kiwis do that too. Being lazy is great.
Fortunately, no retailer in NZ would have the gall to suggest buying 'Easter Presents', although alot of shops are trying to push Easter greeting cards. Guess presents will be the next step...

Well in one of the forgotten and cencored chapters of the bible Jesus came back to earth as a Bunny... not many people know or acknowlegde this but... it true...

[img]smile.gif[/img]

I knew if I asked the World of Ironworks I would get some really good answers. Where else could you get on a forum, ask A question and get answers from friends all over the world and all in less than 8 hours?
I love this place we call "The Ironworks". Ziroc has brought more people together in one place from around this planet than anybody including the U.N. we should get him the Nobel peace prize or just send a couple bucks to keep this place alive. :D Me I'm sending money!

HAPPY EASTER EVERYBODY!! [img]smile.gif[/img] ;)

[ 04-08-2004, 09:26 AM: Message edited by: TheCrimsomBlade ]