Britannica
Sources used in this answer
Why did German children make nests for the Easter hare?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Easter
Resurrection of Christ, oil on wood panel by Raphael, 1499–1502; in the Museu de Arte de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. 52 × 44 cm.
In German folk tradition, children made nests for the Easter hare (Osterhase) specifically so that the mythical creature would have a place to lay its eggs.1
This custom was part of a broader tradition in which the Easter hare was believed to hide eggs for children to find. These practices, which also included the decorating of eggs, became associated with Easter as symbols of new life and fertility, reflecting the season of spring. German immigrants later brought these traditions to the United States in the 18th century, where the character eventually became widely known as the Easter Bunny.12