Easter Bunnies

Today I'm sharing some of my bunny collection. I have had most of these bunnies for ten to twenty-five years. I try to add one each year. This 16-inch chenille bunny above was at a thrift shop, it is handmade from an old bedspread with fringe on it. I thought she was so pretty I brought her home!

This pretty bunny decorated with roses is a liquid soap holder in our bathroom.

I bought this resin bunny over 25 years ago, she usually gets to be in the dining table centerpiece. Her Easter bonnet is decorated with flowers!

Bunny jelly bean holder, she has an important job each Easter! I love jelly beans!

I bought this little ten-inch bunny about ten years ago because she is wearing yellow velvet!

I have one yellow bunny, it is displayed in the bathroom.

I always liked this small bunny, I like to think she is praying!

Ceramic bunny decorated with roses.

Cute bunny among the orchids on our backporch, overlooking the lake.

I bought this bunny at a craft show, it is made from a vintage embroidered tea towel.

I hope you have enjoyed seeing some of my bunny collection, I will share a few more next week when I return. I'm taking a blogging break beginning Friday, we will be gone a week.

Origin of the Easter Bunny

There are many legends associated with the history of Easter bunny. Some legends suggest that this grand festival Easter got its name from the Anglo- Saxon goddess called Eostre, who was always seen along with her pet bunny rabbit. This very bunny of Goddess laid the first colored eggs! Easter bunny has become famous for starting the tradition of Easter egg hiding.

Easter bunny is a symbol associated with fertility. The origin of the Easter bunny can be traced to ancient pagan celebrations which regarded rabbits as symbols of fertility. Ancient tribes celebrated the beginning of spring at the vernal equinox by blessing seeds for growth and placing colored eggs on an altar.

Easter bunny became a part of modern day Easter celebration in Germany, where tales were told of an "Easter hare" who laid eggs for children to find. German immigrants to America -- particularly Pennsylvania -- brought the tradition with them and spread it to a wider public. They also baked cakes for Easter in the shape of hares, and may have pioneered the practice of making chocolate bunnies and eggs.

This symbol of Pagan times, Easter bunny, symbolizes new life.