Easter

[{Dakota}]

Please excuse my ignoance here, but why are hot cross buns and bunnies relevant to easter?

TIA

[weeal]

cos thats when theyre in the shops hahaha

soz i dont know (blush)

[{Dakota}]

LOL, that was my response when I was asked today too

[haysi06]

I think that the 'cross' on the buns symbolises the crucifixion, but have no idea about the bunnies. I know that eggs symbolise the resurrection and were also not allowed during lent if I recall from my very limited R.E. at school.

Easter is way too commercialised nowadays.

[skyep]

The cross on the bun reminds us Christ was crucified. Bunnies - A sign of spring may be! xxx

[haysi06]

re the eggs and lent - I think they were allowed after lent and so became a symbol of Easter.

[{Dakota}]

Thanks, Haysi and Skyep, I didn't think about the bun having the cross on it, which is pretty stupid of me really.the

So reakon the bunny is signal of the change of season much like the Robin is at Christmas then?

[haysi06]

http://festivals.iloveindia.com/easter/symbols /index.html

I found this wee site, its quite cute - the hot cross bun and Easter Bunny goes back to pagan rituals rather than Christian ones. I did not know that and have learned something new today!

[GEEMAC]

Pretty much hi-jacked from pre-Christian ritual and symbols. More a celebration of Spring, the re-awakening of nature and the birth of a new year (don't forget this is before Christianity so they wouldn't have used the Christian calender that we use), hence the egg and bunnies. Fluffy little chicks are also a symbol of this time of year. I believe the cross on the bun signified the 4 seasons (although I stand to be corrected.) This was all conveniently adopted (and adapted) by Christians as symbols of the crucifixion and the resurrection

[{Dakota}]

Wow, thanks Haysi!

I had to laugh at this "The origin of the Easter bunny can be traced to ancient pagan celebrations which regarded rabbits as symbols of fertility because these animals give birth to multiple offspring at a time"

Don't I know it, my rabbit (that I didn't know was pregnant!) gave birth to 6 on boxing day!

[{Dakota}]

Thank you, GEEMAC, Haysi's link pretty much says that about the bunnies, it doesn't mention the seasons in the HCB link though, but protection from evil spirits.

[GEEMAC]

As a side issue; At the turn of the last century during the rise of the postal service and the popularity of sending Christmas cards, postman wore red uniforms and were nicknamed 'Robins'. Early cards often depicted postmen going about their happy way delivering the Christmas mail. Obviously, pictures of postmen offered limited scope and appeal, so robins were used instead. The robins that you see on cards today are symbols of the postmen (and women). They are quite often pictured sitting on top of postboxes.

[{Dakota}]

Blimey, thank you for that piece of info, I just assumed it was because of the season.

[naomi24]

I was taught that Christians believe the cross on the buns symbolises the crucifixion, and bunnies, chicks and eggs symbolise new birth - the resurrection. (I don't believe in any of it though).

[Octavius]

Buns with crosses on pre-date Christianity, so the relevance has come by word of mouth, superstition, tradition etc.

The Easter bunny is as significant to the religious Easter as Santa is to the religious Christmas (not very).

Chocolate Easter eggs were however eaten at the last supper. So thats alright then.

[China Doll]

Is the bunny not something to do with fertility and spring and a pagan festival that ran around the same time as it was decided easter was?!

Where Whickerman when i need him.... I know what I mean damn it!

[Octavius]

You mean that old yarn about the german goddess Eastre?

[China Doll]

Quite possibly... what's the old yarn and I'll tell you if it rings a bell!

[Octavius]

Eh? Wasn't that quasimodo?

[China Doll]

That's my favourite disney cartoon!

[Theland]

Quasi used a wok to iron his shirts!