So many of us celebrate, with the help of the Easter Bunny, the Easter Holiday but with little understanding of some of the elements around the holiday that is one of the most important to Christians in the calendar year. I have tried to put together a few interesting facts about the holiday and hope you find them both entertaining and educating as well. More on what the Easter holiday is and why Christians celebrate the holiday is covered in this article: Easter: Why Do Christians Celebrate It?

Easter in 2025 will be celebrated on Sunday, April 20th. This date is determined by the first Sunday following the first full moon after the spring equinox2. Let me know if you’d like to learn more about Easter traditions or its significance! But did you know there’s more to Easter than meets the eye? Let’s explore its intriguing traditions and origins.

Facts You Didn’t Know About the Easter Bunny

1. What Is Easter? Easter commemorates the resurrection of Christ three days after His death, marking the cornerstone of the Christian faith. It’s the oldest Christian holiday and undoubtedly the most important day of the church year. Beyond its spiritual significance, Easter eggs have come to symbolize joy, new life, and the resurrection.
2. Origin of the Easter Bunny: Ever wondered how rabbits hopped their way into Easter celebrations? Research points to Anglo-Saxon paganism, where the Easter Bunny finds its roots in the German goddess Ostara, associated with spring and fertility. In medieval Germany, the “Oschter Haws” (Easter hare) delivered colorful eggs as gifts to well-behaved children.
3. Why The Easter Bunny Lays Eggs: During the middle-ages, rabbit and chicken eggs were both considered symbols of rebirth and fertility – true signs of spring.
4. The Bunny’s Chocolate Form: Evidently, both the Easter Bunny’s mythical origin and chocolate origin began in the same region. While chocolate bunnies were produced in Germany beginning in the 19th century, they didn’t go hollow until World War II when a cocoa bean rationing was in force.
5. Australia’s Easter Bilby: In Australia a rabbit is a European immigrant species that has overpopulated and out-worn its welcome. The bilby is an endangered native Australian species that Australians have now adopted as their national symbol of Easter. The Easter Bilby is responsible for bringing the children Easter treats and you can even buy a chocolate Easter Bilby in Australia. Other countries also have their own versions of the Easter Bunny: In most of France, children believe that flying church bells travel to the Vatican and bring back chocolate treats in time for Easter Sunday. In Sweden, kids dress up as wizards and witches rather than bunnies. And in Switzerland, the Easter Cuckoo (bird) is a symbol of the spring holiday.
6. Biggest Candy Holiday: Based on limited research and much observation, I would argue that Easter is traditionally the largest candy-consuming holiday in Zimbabwe. More candy is bought and consumed on Easter than on Valentine’s day or the Christmas holiday. So how many Easter eggs and chocolate Easter bunnies have you or your children had this Easter?
   • Easter Around the World
     • Traditions vary widely across cultures:
       • In Australia, the rabbit—a non-native pest—has been replaced by the Easter Bilby, an endangered marsupial delivering treats to children.
       • In France, flying church bells return from the Vatican with chocolate blessings for Easter Sunday.
       • Swedish children dress as witches rather than bunnies, adding a whimsical twist to Easter celebrations.
       • In Switzerland, the Easter Cuckoo brings joy and spring treats.
     • What unique African tradition could we create to celebrate Easter? Keep reading—there’s an idea brewing!
7. Easter Games: In medieval times, a festival of ‘egg-throwing’ was held in church. The priest would throw a hard-boiled egg at one of the choir boys and then tossed from one choir boy to the next. When the clock struck 12, whoever held the egg, was the winner and got to keep the egg. I was relieved that they didn’t throw the bunny… kkkkkk
8. The white lily, the symbol of the resurrection, is the special Easter flower. (This is not really an Easter Bunny fact but I found it interesting – who knew?)
9. Eating Habits: Are you an ears, arms or tail person? 76 percent of people eat the ears on the chocolate bunny first, 5 percent go for the feet, and 4 percent for the tail. Which part of the chocolate bunny do you eat first? Tell us in the comments section below…
10. The Easter Pangolin: You are probably thinking “What?”. I hope as Zimbabweans, we will start our own Easter Tradition around our endangered and unique Pangolin species. Easter Pangolin can be a big thing… Who doesn’t like Pangolins? This would be fun and also raise awareness of the endangered Pangolin. So let’s lobby the government, churches and all people of Zimbabwe to adopt the Easter Pangolin starting in 2026. I can tell you that at zonline, beginning in 2026, we will be celebrating the Easter Pangolin or Easter Rhino because it’s the right move for us in Africa to not just consume everything thrown at us – we need to also create our own traditions. If in Sweden children can dress up as wizards and witches… why can’t African children dress up as Traditional Healers. Things that make you say Hmmm…

Create Your Own Easter Traditions

Easter is a time of reflection, joy, and creativity. Whether it’s reimagining the Easter Bunny as an African Pangolin, hosting Easter games, or biting into chocolate bunny ears, there’s always room for innovation. As we embrace existing customs, let’s also celebrate Easter in a way that highlights our unique cultural identity.

– Zohzo

What are your favorite Easter traditions? What ideas do you have for new ones? Share your thoughts below, and let’s start a conversation that inspires us all this Easter season.