<P> The Oxford Dictionary of English Folklore however states "...there is no shred of evidence" that hares were sacred to Ēostre, noting that Bede does not associate her with any animal . </P> <P> Sarah Ben Breathnach in Mrs Sharp's Traditions (1990) provides an origin story for the Easter Bunny: "According to legend, Eostre's favorite animal was a large handsome bird, which in a fit of anger she turned into a hare ." Another version of this story, in which Ēostre transforms the bird into a hare in an act of mercy, was written by Jean - Andrew Dickmann and appeared in Cricket magazine . Both Breathnach and Dickmann present their respective' transformed bird' stories as if they were legend, though no earlier version of either has been attested . </P>

What is the relation between easter and rabbit