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The Conversation
The Conversation
Lifestyle
Tok Thompson, Professor of Anthropology and Communication, USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts and Sciences

Sacred hares, banished winter witches and pagan worship – the roots of Easter Bunny traditions are ancient

Easter Bunny Bede Julius Caesar England Germany
Children celebrating Easter, with their Easter Bunnies and Easter eggs. Sanja Radin/Collection E+ via Getty Images

The Easter Bunny is a much celebrated character in American Easter celebrations. On Easter Sunday, children look for hidden special treats, often chocolate Easter eggs, that the Easter Bunny might have left behind.

As a folklorist, I’m aware of the origins of the long and interesting journey this mythical figure has taken from European prehistory to today.

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