Osterhase

The Osterhase, or Easter hare, is a folkloric figure associated with Easter in German-speaking countries and parts of Central Europe. According to the legend, the Osterhase lays and hides Easter eggs for children to find on Easter Sunday, often placing them in nests, gardens, or baskets.

Origins of the symbol lie in springtime fertility imagery connected to the hare, a familiar motif in European folklore. The association with Easter appears in German-speaking areas in the early modern period, with written references dating from the late 17th century. Over time the hare became linked with egg-laying and egg-hunting customs, helping to merge pagan spring symbolism with Christian Easter celebrations.

In contemporary practice, families may prepare nests or baskets for the Osterhase to fill with eggs, candy, and small gifts. Eggs are often dyed or decorated, and chocolate eggs are a common treat. The Osterhase also appears in Easter cards, decorations, and commercial displays, reinforcing its role as a seasonal symbol.

The concept is most widely observed in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of Central Europe. Variants exist in other regions; for example, the Dutch paashaas is the corresponding figure in the Netherlands and parts of Belgium. In some areas, the Easter hare coexists with other symbols of Easter, such as the Easter lamb.

Today the Osterhase remains a secular and family-oriented symbol of spring and renewal, widely used in media and celebrations alongside religious observances of Easter.