While I realize that not everyone may celebrate Easter, let me say if you do, please have a happy and safe day. Enjoy your family, friends, and especially yourself.
The religious aspect of this holiday may be a Christian one to most, but there are also pagan aspects of the holiday. While Easter primarily serves as a day of remembrance and rejoicing over the Resurrection of Christ, many of the traditions and symbols of Easter are actually based on pagan traditions and symbols.
Since Easter has always taken place during the spring, it became interwined with pagan celebrations of the arrival of spring and renewal of life. In Europe and Asia, this time was dedicated to goddesses of fertility and birth. In Saxon mythology one of the main goddesses was known as "Oestre" or "Eastre." Quite a few authors and historians consider this goddess’s name to be the origin of the name "Easter."
What about those Easter eggs and rabbits? These are meant to symbolize reproduction and were thought to invoke the fertility of spring. Even the painted eggs and egg-hunts originated from pagan ceremonies of various cultures! Eggs were painted and hidden even by the Babylonians as part of the rites of the beginning of spring with vigorous contests proving strength and ability.
Just something to think about while you are enjoying those chocolate bunnies!
Love, Parran Matt