Who is the ‘Osterhase?’
By LESLEY TOTH
Mille Lacs County Times
Aleiah Ronning scoops a heaping spoonful of frosting for Korral Kelash and little sister Sydnee during the Easter cookie decoration at Teals.
The Easter Bunny plays an important role for children in the upcoming holiday, acting as the spring Santa Claus, bringing goodies and cheer. But where did the tradition come from?
The bunny and egg symbols have roots in pagan celebrations of spring. The eggs represent fertility and the new life the season provides, while the rabbit was the most fertile creature known to humans — thus its celebrity status during the spring holiday today.
Bringing Easter eggs seems to have its origins in Alsace and the Upper Rhineland, both then in the Holy Roman Empire, and southwestern Germany, where the practice was first recorded in the early 17th century. The first edible Easter eggs were made in Germany during the early 19th century and were made of pastry and sugar.
The Easter Bunny was introduced to the United States by the German settlers who arrived in the Pennsylvania Dutch country during the 18th century. The arrival of the “Osterhase” was anticipated by children everywhere, just like the excitement felt on Christmas Eve waiting for sleigh bells and Ho Ho Hos.
According to the tradition, children would build multi-colored nests, often out of caps and bonnets or bits of cloth, in isolated areas of their homes. The “Osterhase” would, if the children had been good, lay brightly colored eggs in the nest.
The pagan and Christian traditions illustrate the re-birth of life this time of year — natural and spiritual.
As the tradition evolved, the nest has become the familiar Easter basket, and the placing of the nest in a secluded area has morphed into the tradition of hiding baskets stuffed full of brightly wrapped chocolates, much to the delight of today’s youngsters.
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