等一下，我怎么不记得兔子是从蛋里面孵出来的？圣经里好像也没有提到这么一只兔子啊？

Easter is also famous for two iconic symbols – the Easter bunny and decorated eggs. But how much do you know about their origins?

那么问题来了，复活节兔子到底是谁？

The exact origin of the Easter bunny is contested, so is the earliest recorded celebration of Easter. One popular theory states that Christians adopted Easter from a pagan festival paying tribute to the Anglo-Saxon goddess of spring and fertility, Eostre. According to history.com, the goddess was portrayed as keeping a rabbit as company, leading to speculation that her pet was the origin of today’s Easter bunny.

很多人也许不知道，复活节兔子的诞生也许早于复活节本身，且起初是异教而非基督教的象征。相传，兔子是盎格鲁-撒克逊人(Anglo-Saxon)所信仰的女神约斯特里(Eostre)的宠物。约斯特里是代表春天和生育的女神，而复活节也是象征重生和希望的节日。

While the legend has gained little foothold, many do agree that rabbits are ancient symbols for fertility and new life, two important themes also associated with spring and Easter.

虽然有学者怀疑这一传说，但他们普遍认同兔子是生育力和新生命的象征。

And why does Easter bunny bring colorful eggs to children?

那复活节兔和彩蛋又有什么关系呢？

In German folklore, Osterhase, or “Easter Hare,” is said to play a role similar to that of Santa Claus. At the beginning of the Easter season, the hare would decide if a child has behaved well and would bring baskets filled with colored eggs, candies and sometimes toys to those with good manners.

在德国民间传说中，复活节兔扮演着与圣诞老人相似的角色。每年节日前夕，复活节兔会判断全世界的孩子们是否有好好表现，并为乖宝宝们送去装满彩蛋、糖果和玩具的篮子。