In Sweden, popular folklore states that at Easter, the witches all fly away on their broomsticks to feast and dance with the devil on the legendary island of Blåkulla, in the Baltic Sea. This idea provides the underlying rationale behind various festivities and rituals, such as the Osterfeuer, or Easter Fire, a celebration in Germany involving large outdoor bonfires meant to scare away witches. The spring equinox, with its promise of new life, was held symbolically in opposition to the life-draining activities of witches and winter. The idea that the witches of winter should be banished at Easter is a common European folk motif appearing in several festivities and rituals. Witches in medieval Europe were said to be able to suck out the life energy of others, making them ill. Throughout northern Europe, folk traditions record a strong belief that witches would often take the form of a hare, usually for causing mischief such as stealing milk from neighbors’ cows. The eating of the hare may have been associated with various longstanding folk traditions of scaring away witches at Easter. In 1790, the local parson tried to stop the custom due to its pagan associations, but he was unsuccessful, and the custom continues in that village until this day. It involved eating a pie made with hare meat and people “scrambling” for a slice. One tradition, known as the “ Hare Pie Scramble,” was held at Hallaton, a village in Leicestershire, England. Written accounts from England around the same time also mention the Easter hare, particularly in terms of traditional Easter hare hunts and the eating of hare meat at Easter. Accounts from the 1600s in Germany describe children hunting for Easter eggs hidden by the Easter hare, much as in the United States today. Hare meat and witches’ mischiefīut it is in the folk traditions of England and Germany that the figure of the hare is specifically connected to Easter. For example, the Virgin Mary is often shown with a white hare or rabbit, symbolizing that she overcame sexual temptation. Meanwhile, Aphrodite’s son Eros was often depicted carrying a hare as a symbol of unquenchable desire.įrom the Greek world through the Renaissance, hares often appear as symbols of sexuality in literature and art. Piero di Cosimo's Venus, Mars and Cupid (circa 1490) features a white hare.Ĭaesar would likely have known that in the classical Greek tradition, hares were sacred to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Over a thousand years later, during the Iron Age, ritual burials for hares were common, and in 51 B.C.E., Julius Caesar mentioned that in Britain, hares were not eaten due to their religious significance. Archaeologists have interpreted this as a religious ritual, with hares representing rebirth. Hares were given ritual burials alongside humans during the Neolithic age in Europe. The symbolism of the hare has had many tantalizing ritual and religious roles down through the years. In European traditions, the Easter bunny is known as the Easter hare. Eggs and flowers are rather obvious symbols of female fertility, but in European traditions, the bunny, with its amazing reproductive potential, is not far behind. Religious role of the hareĮaster is a celebration of spring and new life. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter bunny might have left behind.Īs a folklorist, I’m aware of the origins of the long and interesting journey this mythical figure has taken from European prehistory to today. Easter Bunny greets your kid, asks his/her name, and tells him/her that he recognizes his/her good behavior that he will fill his/her basket with sweet gifts.The Easter bunny is a much-celebrated character in American Easter celebrations. Answer incoming calls from Easter Bunny and have a chat with him Connect with Easter Bunny right away or set up a time you want to receive a call from Easter Bunny Voice-recorded conversations are yours to save to camera roll or to share via major social sites. The best part is you can hear the voice recording of the conversations between Easter Bunny and your kids in ‘Parents Only’ page. Simply set the time you want to receive a call from the Easter Bunny, then he will call your kids right at that time with his joyful voice! Our Easter bunny will greet your kid, ask his/her name, and tell him/her that he recognizes his/her good behavior that he will fill his/her basket with sweet gifts! Our Easter Bunny also asks your kid to promise to keep behaving well! If you are parents and have been looking for a fun app for your kids to get in the mood for this coming Easter, you've found the perfect app! Call Easter Bunny features a pre-recorded phone call from our Easter Bunny (recorded by our professional impressionist) at any time you desire. Easter day is right around the corner! Get ready for this Easter Sunday with Call Easter Bunny!
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