Rabbits Vs. Hares

Though most people know him as the Easter bunny, this traditional originate with a hare. In the 18th century, German immigrants in Pennsylvania Dutch country began telling their children stories of the “Osterhas” or “Oschter Haws”, who would bring good children colored eggs as Easter gifts. In this case, “has” means “hare”.

Left: Hares, Right: Rabbits

So what’s the difference between a rabbit/bunny and a hare, you ask? Well, for starters, rabbits live underground in burrows and live in groups. Hares live in above ground nests, usually on their own.

Hares are generally bigger in size than rabbits, and have longer ears. Hares are also very fast-moving. And while rabbits have become common domesticated pets in America, hares are usually wild.

P.S. If you're a fan of rabbits, check out our great selection of stuffed and plush rabbits and bunnies!

Why Are Lambs A Symbol Of Easter?

Do you know how lambs came to be associated with Easter?

In the book of Exodus the Israelites were told to sprinkle their doorframes with the blood of a lamb, thereby telling the Angel of Death to "Pass Over" their homes during the killing of the first born. This Passover Lamb became an important factor in Jewish life. Subsequently, when Jesus Christ came, he was called "the Lamb of God," and the sprinkling of His blood would take away the sins of the world. For Christians, the lamb symbolizes Christ, and there is no more important animal associated with the celebration of Easter.

Sheep were domesticated over 12,000 years ago. Some of the most ancient written recipes include lamb as an ingredient. Sheep have been prized as a productive commodity. We use their wool for clothing, their milk for cheese and butter, their skin for parchment, their lanolin for weather-proofing, and their lambs for food. They do not require as much pasturage as cattle and are easier to maintain. Cortez and his Spanish soldiers first brought sheep to the New World in 1519. In the 1800s, range wars between cattlemen and shepherds led to bloody conflicts in the American west. Although Americans don't eat much lamb, to the rest of the world, it is a dietary staple. Lambs and sheep are truly a significant part of our cultural history.

Why Are Chicks An Easter Symbol?

Eggs, and thereby chicks, have been a symbol of Spring for thousands of years. The egg represents fertility, the chick represents new life. Christians adopted the egg into their Easter celebrations, using it to symbolize the rebirth one can find in Christ.

For a while, papal edicts banned the eating of eggs during the 40-day period of Lent that leads up to Easter. Of course no one told the hens, so there were plenty of eggs to use when the Lenten fast was over. Hard-boiling the eggs helped them last longer. How people came to color eggs is not known, but the tradition is very old. Ukrainians use a form of batiking called Pysanka to produce the colorful, intricate designs found on their Easter eggs.

Picture of Pysanka Eggs supplied by Luba Petrusha

Roosters And Easter

Easter is almost here. There are many symbols and traditions that surround this most holy of Christian holidays. Now until Sunday, we'll be looking at the significance of Animals in the holiday.

The Rooster is placed on the steeple of churches in The Netherlands instead of a cross. Peter denied Christ three times before the rooster crowed. Therefore the rooster is used to remind Christians not to deny Christ.

Roosters are smart, strong and aggressive birds. They truly will "rule" a barnyard, perching in a central, elevated place to keep careful watch over their hens and nests. If danger is sighted, the rooster will sound a loud alarm and then confront the interloper, prepared to fight. Fights to the death among roosters are not uncommon. Why do roosters crow at dawn? The same reason they crow at other times of the day or night. They are letting all other roosters know that this is their territory and it is best to keep away!