The TRUE Origin of Easter

Easter is derived from the name Eastre (Eostre), who is the Teutonic Goddess of Spring. Her sacred animal is a hare.

Using eggs as part of the Easter celebration comes from something even more ancient than the name. Eggs have been symbols of rebirth and fertility for so long the roots of the tradition are now unknown. Some say it dates back to the beginning of human civilization. Ancient Romans and Greeks used eggs as symbols of fertility, rebirth, and abundance. Eggs were solar symbols and figured in festivals of numerous resurrected Gods.

Pagan fertility festivals during the Spring equinox were common. The hare is often associated with the moon goddesses, the egg and hare together represent the God and Goddess respectively.

So how did these Pagan symbols become entwined with the Christian holiday of Easter? When the Christian Church was first trying to convert the Pagans to Christianity, they ran into problems. The Pagans did not want to give up their festivals as well as their gods, so the Christians simply incorporated some Pagan practices into the Christian festivals. This made Christianity more palatable to the Pagan people who were reluctant to give up their festivals for the more sombre Christian practices.

But how did the rabbit who lays eggs come into practice you ask? 1500 years or so after the incorporation, the Germans had a tradition of their own. A rabbit, called Oschter Haws, layed colored eggs in nests and delighted children who then got to 'find' the eggs. This was introduced to America by German settlers in Pennsylvania.