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The Easter Bunny, in a moment of quiet reflection.

By
Industry Observer with ARFCO Media

The first time the Easter Hare was mentioned in print was in a writing by Georg Franck von Franckenau’s De ovis paschalibus, ‘About Easter Eggs’ in 1682. This folklore originated with the German lutherans.

The Easter Hare brought colored eggs, candy, and sometimes toys in a basket to those good children at Eastertide.

Yet historically, the forerunner of the Easter Hare lore can be traced all the way back to around 1500 in the poem Blowbol’s Test.

“Thanne pey begyn to swere and to stare, And be as braynies as a Marshe hare.

Which of course translates to the old saying, “Mad as a March hare!” Our most adored western cultural memory of this lore is embraced in the 1865 story, “Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” by Lewis Carroll.

The Easter Bunny, Fireworks Gallery, Westfield Southcenter, Tukwila WA.

I don’t recall remembering that in Europe it’s the Easter Hare, and here it’s the Easter Rabbit.

In the De Ratione Temporum by the Venerable Bede (672 - 735 CE) it's said that Easter was named after the Great Mother Goddess Eostre (or Eastre) of the Saxon people in Northern Europe. I love the history of Easter both christian and pagan. It's a fascinating tapestry of our human story and dates back to the beginning of time.

As a kid I remember Easter Egg Hunts, the 1949 song Here Comes Peter Cottontail, festive Easter dinners and going to church for Easter Service in a new outfit and shoes. Mom made us 3 boys matching sport shirts 5 or 6 of those years. And of course, we watched the 1948 musical movie The Easter Parade starring Judy Garland and Fred Astaire many times.

It was interesting this day to discover the wonderful display with the Easter Bunny at Fireworks Gallery in Westfield Southcenter this month. There was a lull in the lunchtime hustle bustle at the mall and it was like I happened by while he was in a moment of quiet reflection. Or was that me?

Posted by

René Fabre

"Where there's conversation, there's opportunity."

Please Note - The views expressed herein reflect only the individual’s personal views and are not the views of the author’s employer.

The Blackberry Chronicles, a blog by Rene Fabre and his travels around the Greater Pacific Northwest and beyond. Connect w/ Rene Fabre on Google+. Rene Fabre on Twitter. Rene Fabre writes reviews on Yelp. Rene Fabre on Linkedin.com The Audiorium YouTube Channel by Rene Fabre. Facebook.com/renefabre Rene Fabre loves digital photography and here are his shares on Flickr. Rene Fabre is a musician and composer and shares some of his orginal music and recordings on Soundcloud. Rene Fabre shares his interests on Pinterest.

Comments (56)

Kristin Johnston - REALTOR®
RE/MAX Platinum - Waukesha, WI
Giving Back With Each Home Sold!

Great post! I can see why Kathy included it this week in her summary!  Well done!

Mar 29, 2015 12:36 AM
Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert
Zion Realty - Gilbert, AZ
Broker/Owner of Zion Realty ZionRealtyAZ.com

I knew nothing of that easter hare history. Thanks for sharing this with us Rene.

Mar 29, 2015 01:15 AM
Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Real Estate
John L Scott Market Center - Birkenfeld, OR
"Your Local Expert!" 503-739-3843

Rene, "I happened by" earlier this week to take in what reflective moments Peter Cottontail was having, then got pulled away by business if I recall. Found it again, thanks to Kathy Streib our dear friend!

I cannot stress enough how lovely your writings and musings are. 

I was whisked away into Wonderland, in many ways. Thank you my friend!

Mar 29, 2015 02:55 AM
Ed Silva, 203-206-0754
Mapleridge Realty, CT 203-206-0754 - Waterbury, CT
Central CT Real Estate Broker Serving all equally

Some interesting history on the rabbit we used to seek at Easter time.  Was always so glad he just left chocolate behind

Mar 29, 2015 07:20 AM
Cindy Edwards
RE/MAX Checkmate - Johnson City, TN
CRS, GRI, PMN - Northeast Tennessee 423-677-6677

Oh how nice this is.  I love your story/history.  Something nice to share. Thank you.

Mar 29, 2015 07:28 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Inna Ivchenko ... Thanks! It was a fun piece to write.

We're never to old Nina Hollander ... to learn something new! Thanks!

 

Mar 29, 2015 08:04 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thank you so much Kathy Streib for including this in your weekly post! I'm honored!

Mar 29, 2015 08:05 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Lottie Kendall !.. It brought up some good memories for me too!

Hi Joanna Cohlan ... it's a wonderful tapestry!

Hi Dorie Dillard ... Wasn't it so festive and wonderful going to church and everyone was dressed up in their Easter Sunday best!

 

Mar 29, 2015 08:10 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Michael Jacobs ... Indeed, I've learned a lot actually at the malls this year. And Activerain too! :O)

Hi Sharon Tara ... I so remember signing Here Comes Peter Cottontail as a little kid! That is so cool about your grandson... I bet he is pretty excited about Easter this here!

Thanks Kristin Johnston, Waukesha Realtor 414-254-6647 !

You bet Nicole Doty - Gilbert Real Estate Expert ! and Thanks!

 

 

Mar 29, 2015 08:15 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Gayle Rich-Boxman Fishhawk Lake Realtor (503)755-2905 ! Actually it was kind of hard to chop it into blog size. The 'rabbit hole' I went down was deep and long! ;O) 

Mar 29, 2015 08:18 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Indeed Ed Silva :O) Our neighbor many years ago raised rabbits... It wasn't chocolate they were dropping everywhere.

Mar 29, 2015 08:20 AM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Thanks Cindy Edwards ! A little on the lighter side for sure. Thanks again.

Mar 29, 2015 08:21 AM
Christine Donovan
Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA
Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Rene - I am now far more educated about the March Hare and the Easter Bunny.

Mar 29, 2015 04:26 PM
Nina Hollander, Broker
Coldwell Banker Realty - Charlotte, NC
Your Greater Charlotte Realtor

You got that right, Rene. Today I learned from Debbie Laity that lilacs come in colors other than lilac! Who knew? I sure didn't!

Mar 29, 2015 08:41 PM
Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239
Real Estate One - Commerce, MI
Michigan homes for sale ~ yesmyrealtor@gmail.com

Thanks for the tidbits about easter and the hare

Mar 30, 2015 01:27 AM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Rene -- I was just wondering how the Easter bunny originated and when.  Thanks for this informative post.

Mar 30, 2015 01:00 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Christine Donovan ! Me too! ;O) Thanks!

Thanks Nina Hollander ... My Uncle Emile was wonderful with plants and grafted many trees. One he did for my grandmother (his younger sister) was a deep purple French and a white lilac... What was awesome was as it matured every imaginable shade inbetween came about. It was a beautiful tree.

Mar 30, 2015 01:39 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Russ Ravary ~ Metro Detroit Realtor call (248) 310-6239 ! You bet! Thanks for dropping by...

Mar 30, 2015 01:41 PM
Rene Fabre
ARFCO Media - Renton, WA
Practicing Philosophical Eclectic of the Arts

Hi Joan Whitebook ... Funny, I thought the same a couple of weeks ago and went down the proverbial 'rabbit hole' online... It was a fun trip! Thanks!

Mar 30, 2015 01:44 PM
Joan Whitebook
BHG The Masiello Group - Nashua, NH
Consumer Focused Real Estate Services

Hope the rabbit is rested and read for Sunday. 

Apr 03, 2015 02:27 PM