A fluffy tale of Easter Origins

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    By Paige Engelhardt

    His fuzzy fa?ade, constantly covered with cheerful children, may be spotted in almost any city mall. Chocolates and candies of nearly every flavor toting his image are unveiled on thousands of candy shelves across America. For just a few short months, the Easter Bunny is every child?s hero.

    There?s no doubt about it because for many young children, the first Sunday after the ecclesiastical vernal equinox signals the beginning of the long awaited sugar-high.

    But as much as parents may try to conceal the truth from their trusting children, this imaginary holiday icon has a story that continues to enrich over time, finding its place amidst the many religious traditions of the Easter season.

    In ancient times, the Saxons commemorated this season, at the onset of springtime, with an uproarious festival in honor of the pagan goddess, Eastre. When the second century Christian missionaries began their preaching to these Anglo-Saxons, the festival gradually evolved to become what we recognize today as Easter, the celebration of the resurrection of Christ.

    Although the holiday experienced this large-scale metamorphosis, we still recognize many of the original pagan symbols in our Christian celebration. Eastre, the goddess of offspring and springtime, was known by her symbol, the rabbit. The Easter Bunny tradition later appeared in America with the German settlers arriving in Pennsylvania in the 1700s. Thus, the onset of various American traditions that continue to strive today.

    The Provo Towne Centre Mall is one of the numerous locales where children may catch a glimpse of the historically famous Easter Bunny. But don?t make the mistake to nonchalantly stride past the white picket fences, happy flowers, and smiling Bunny. Heather Lewis, 20, from Springville, takes her job as the Easter Bunny seriously.

    In her second season working as the Easter Bunny in the Provo Towne Centre Mall, Lewis knows the tricks of the trade. After recruiting her mother and some other friends to hop on the job, she offered her professional advice.

    ?You have to be really energetic,? Lewis said. ?You have to play with the kids. You have to let the kids come to you.?

    Acting as the Easter Bunny, Lewis is not allowed to verbally speak with the children. For this reason, Lewis said she likes to play peek-a-boo and use hand signals to say, I love you.

    Despite the fact that the Easter Bunny is given so much attention during this religious season, many Utah mothers said they do not think this detracts from the real importance of the holiday. Although, they said, the values need to be mainly taught in the home.

    ?I think if you?re really focusing on what the holiday is really about, then the Easter Bunny is just this little side thing that?s just fun,? said Michelle Smith, mother of four from Orem.

    Some mothers, like Chris Robinson, mother of two from Spanish Fork, has developed a family tradition to equalize the secular with the religious parts of Easter in her home.

    ?In our house, the Easter Bunny comes on Friday night, so Saturday we can do all the fun things, and then on Sunday we can focus on what Easter really is,? she said.

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