The Easter rabbit has become as
traditional at Easter time as the Easter egg. Like the egg, the
hare or rabbit was a symbol of 
fertility
and new life among the Egyptians and other ancient peoples. How
the rabbit became associated with Easter and Easter eggs is unclear,
but it may have been intended to symbolize the fertile life that
the risen Christ would send His followers. In any case, the Easter
rabbit has had a long history in European folklore.
The Easter bunny as an Easter symbol
seems to have it's origins in Germany for over 300 years ago
and was introduced to America by German settlers.
The children believed that if they
were good and nice the "Oschter Haws" would lay a nest
of colored eggs. The children then would build their nest in
a sceduled place somewhere in the home or the garden. To make
the nests the girls would use their bonnets and the boys would
use their caps. Later on the tradition of using baskets was spread
through out the country.
