The origin of Easter is a combination of Christian religion and pagan traditions.  There is also a factor of German belief that has forever changed the spring time holiday.

While the holiday originated with Christan religion, the name ‘Easter’ actually comes from the Anglo-Saxon goddess of fertility and spring, ‘Eostre’ or ‘Eostrea’.  Easter is one of the biggest holidays marked on the Christan calendar, but is now a commercial holiday.  The day is considered to be one for kids to eat chocolate, be outside, and hunt for colorful eggs left by the Easter bunny.  

The exact origins of the beloved bunny are unknown.  However, some believe that Germans immigrating to America brought their belief of a hare that lays colorful eggs in the 1700s.  Since then, the idea of the Easter bunny has developed into one of the most recognized holiday mascots, and was directed most towards the children.  Much with Santa clause, children began to make preparations for the Easter bunny by making nests for the bunny’s eggs, or leaving out carrots.  Over the years, the bunny’s eggs deliveries expanded to include chocolate.  

The tradition of Easter eggs comes from pagan tradition which pre-dates Christianity.  Where the pagans saw eggs as a symbol of fertility and birth.  The decoration of eggs started in the 13th century, a time in which eggs were a forbidden food during the period of Lent.  People would paint eggs to mark the end of penance and the fasting period.  Then, on Easter, the painted eggs would be eaten.