Photo: #The Easter bunny used to be confined to ancient pagan ceremonies. Today he pops up at shopping malls and on the lawn of the White House.
Photo: #People are no longer limited to simple, smiling rabbit replicas. Today stores stock everything from the foil-wrapped Reester Bunny -- which is what the Reese's company calls its peanut-butter filled rabbit -- to the Diva Bunny. This chocolate critter comes with her own confectionary bling.
Photo: #These days, you can find milk chocolate rabbits in the shape of cowboys and sheriffs. This one dons chocolate chaps and, instead of guns or pistols, it's ready to draw its candy carrots.
Photo: #Every year, the acting U.S. president invites the Easter bunny to the White House to oversee the annual Easter egg roll.
Larger view
The Easter bunny used to be confined to ancient pagan ceremonies. Today he pops up at shopping malls and on the lawn of the White House. (STEPHEN JAFFE/AFP/Getty Images)
View full slideshow (4 total images)

Audio

Resources

MPR News
Radio

Listen Now

On Air

As It Happens

Schedule

Shortcuts
Hourly Newscast
Hosts
Station Map

Other Radio Streams from MPR

Classical MPR
Radio Heartland

Services

Who put the bunny in Easter?

by Nikki Tundel, Minnesota Public Radio
Listen to feature audio

Here comes Peter Cottontail. But why?

St. Paul, Minn. — This Sunday is Easter, the day Christians commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

It's also the day millions of children around the world wake to find gifts from the Easter Bunny.

But just what is the rabbit's role in the religious celebration? Reporter Nikki Tundel tracks the bunny's trail to find the origin of the egg-laying holiday mascot.

Your Voice




Related Topics



Become a sponsor

Most Shared

  1. Temple Grandin explores the autistic brain
  2. Appetites: Inside the newly expanded Cossetta's
  3. Let's learn the lessons of education reform at last, author says
  4. 1 child dead, 1 missing in St. Paul landslide
  5. Richard Carlbom: 'Quiet,' 'brilliant' general behind Minnesota's same-sex marriage law

Latest News & Features


News Cut

with Bob Collins

  • God and the Oklahoma tornado
    It's getting harder and harder to expect journalists to cover disasters without it leading to some sort of debate over religion.
    2:45 p.m.
    more