Who is the 'Easter bunny'?

Answer 1

The Easter Bunny/rabbit/hare is a symbol of fertility, as are the eggs "he" brings. Since the Spring Equinox is a celebration of the fertility of the earth (and the coming rebirth of crops, etc.) the rabbit/bunny/hare was chosen as a symbol of this time of fertility by Pagans and other nature passed faiths. Since it was an established symbol of this time of year other faiths have adopted it over the course of history and incorporated it in their spring holiday celebrations.

Answer 2

The Easter bunny is actually a reference to a Pagan festival that represented the beginning of Spring long before Christianity existed. The Hare was a sacred symbol of the goddess of Spring Eastre (which is where 'Easter' the name comes from). The hare was a symbol of fertility for the coming of spring. Parents use to tell their kids that the magic hare would bring them presents in the form of coloured eggs which represented the new life of spring. The hare was eventually replaced by the bunny rabbit because basically noone in America knew what a hare was. The basket also came later to hold the eggs that were delivered.