Caerbannog Easter

Happy Easter.

Hollow Rabbits Eggs

The modern English term Easter developed from the Old English word Eastre or Eostre. The name refers to Eostur-monath, a month of the Germanic calendar named after the Anglo-Saxon pagan goddess Eostre.  The egg was a symbol of the rebirth of the earth in pagan celebrations of spring and was adopted by early Christians as a symbol of the rebirth of man for Easter after they conquered and integrated these pagans.  The rabbit is also a pagan symbol of fertility on account of that they are always at it with each other like the filthy rodents they are.

The rabbit bringing eggs has it's origin from Alsace in Southern Germany during the early 17th century.  According to the tradition, children would build brightly coloured nests, often out of caps and bonnets, in secluded areas of their homes. An Easter Hare would lay brightly coloured eggs in the nest if the children had been good.  As the tradition spread, it eventually became the modern egg hunt.  These days the eggs are usually sweet on the outside but hollow on the inside which is probably an accurate analogy of it’s commercialisation.

Most people are aware of the traditional egg hunt game some families do, but there are other much more exciting traditional Easter games like the Egg Dance.  In the Egg Dance a number of eggs are laid on the ground or floor and the goal is to dance among them breaking as few as possible.  Occasionally it was done blindfolded for extra party entertainment value, like when one of the uncles slips on the yolk and fractures his spine.  A hopping variation popular in England was called the hop-egg.

Just remember that not everything brown and oval left behind by the Easter rabbit is made of chocolate.

Bunny Love

I was trying to head in an Easterly Rabbit direction with this.  I don't think I got there.

I have no idea what's going on in the picture on this LP cover.

Um, here's the Rabbot dancing.

Full Metal Rabbit

It's the Year of the Rabbit.

In the Chinese zodiac the 12 animals are: Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Pig.  Alongside the 12 year cycle of animals there is a 10 year cycle of 5 elements of Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water with Yin and Yang of each. The elements change every two years and the Yin and Yang alternate each year. Last year was Yang Metal, this year is Yin Metal and next year will be Yang Water.  All together the twelve animals and the Yin and Yang elements create a 60 year cycle.

This year is the Yin Metal Rabbit.  Yin, being depicted as the darker side, in conjunction with the Metal element, I can say for certain this year will be The Year of the Rabbot!

 Behold!