Rabbit

Say: Rabbit, Rabit, Rabit

An old English superstition states that if you say Rabbit three times in a row on the first day of the month you will have good luck that month.

It is vital that the words rabbit, rabbit, rabbit are the very first word you say after you wake up on the first day of each month.

You must also say the words out loud. This is the most common belief.

Some believe that if the first words you utter out load on the first day of the month are “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit” you give receive an unexpected gift that month.

I guess the gift will not be too unexpected as you have anticipated the gift.

The surprise element is that you do not know exactly which day during the month the gift will be presented to you.

Yet another version say you need to say “Hare” before you fall asleep on the last day of the month and the first words on the first day of the month needs to be “rabbit, rabbit, rabbit”. This will bring a month of good luck.

Why are Rabbits Lucky?

Rabbits have been a symbol of fertility and prosperity for ages. No other mammals multiply as fast as the rabbits and hares.

Rabbits were seen as a symbol of all kinds of riches multiplying themselves fast and furious. Of course have many children would be a great blessing.

The rabbit was also considered a lucky talisman to increase wealth.

In some parts of Northern Europe it was customary to give a child a white rabbit as a gift. The gift of the white rabbit was to ensure the child had a prosperous life.

The rabbit also is a symbol of sexuality and lust. In this context Playboy has adapted the bunny symbol as its emblem.

Rabbit’s Foot for Luck

In North America a rabbit’s foot was for the longest time considered a good luck charm. The strong believers of this superstition said it had to be the left foot of the rabbit.

For a left rabbit’s foot to bring luck it had to be carried in the left pocket.

It could not be any old rabbit’s foot. The rabbit had to have been killed during a full moon. Also the person who killed the rabbit had to be cross-eyed.

As if that was not enough, the rabbit had to be killed in a cemetery preferably on a Friday the 13^th.

Probably not very many cross-eyed people were tempted to go out killing a rabbit during a full moon.

We must conclude that there were not a whole lot of “authentic” lucky rabbit’s feet around.

Rabbit’s foot as a good luck charm was particularly popular among gamblers. Many gamblers to this day would not dream of gambling if not a rabbit’s foot charm is safely tucked away in their pocket.

In the world of theaters the rabbit’s foot was (and still is by many) considered very auspicious.

Many actors and actresses would keep a rabbit’s foot in their make-up kit.

Before entering the stage they would kiss it, or rub the rabbit’s foot on their hands or on their face.

The rabbit’s foot would help them eliminate stage fright. It would also help them remember all their lines.

There is also an old superstition that the rabbit’s foot can cure rheumatism if you keep it in your pocket at all times.

Still today there is a huge market for rabbit’s foot charms. They are sold mostly on keychains.

As greater parts of our population are fighting for animal rights, less people carry a real rabbit’s foot for luck. We suspect there are loads of fake ones on the market.

International Rabbit’s Day

The International Rabbit’s Day is the fourth Saturday in September. Some celebrate the fourth Sunday in September.

This special day originated in England. There has not been too much focus on this event.

The rabbit deserves attention. Rabbits are the third most popular pet.

We are calling all rabbit lovers to make this day special. It is time to celebrate the rabbit!

Year of the Rabbit – Chinese Zodiac

In the Chinese Zodiac there is a twelve year cycle. Each year is represented by an animal. The rabbit has a year of its own.

Each year is connected to an element. People born in the year of the rabbit are said to have certain characteristics.

The Chinese Zodiac is more complex than meets the eye. Many things are taken into consideration before a personal horoscope can be acquired.

The rabbit is a Yin sign.

Typically people born in the year of the rabbit are kind and smart. They may often tend to pursue a comfortable lifestyle.

February 14, 1915 – February 2, 1916 – Wood

February 2, 1927 – January 22, 1928 – Fire

February 19, 1939 – February 7, 1940 – Earth

February 6, 1951 – January 26, 1952 – Metal

January 25, 1963 – February 12, 1964 – Water

February 11, 1975 – January 30, 1976 – Wood

January 29, 1987 – February 16, 1988 – Fire

February 16, 1999 – February 4, 2000 – Earth

February 3, 2011 – January 22, 2012 – Metal

January 22, 2023 – February 9, 2024 – Water

The difference between Rabbits and Hares

Many people do not take into account the difference between rabbits and hares in the world of superstition.

Often when tales are told some speak of the rabbit and others the hare, mixing the two animals in the same story.

To clear things up there is a big difference between rabbits and hares.

Rabbits are born hairless and with their eyes closed.

Hares are born with hair and their eyes wide open.

Rabbits live in burrows underground and dig tunnels for their young ones.

Hares have no specific home and live out in the open space.

Rabbits are easily tamed. This is not the case for hares.

Rabbits are smaller than hares.

In folklore and superstition there is very little distinction between the hare and rabbit.

These two animals often blend together and appear in the same legends and have the same symbolism.

Three Hares Symbol

The symbol of three hares in a circle joined together at the ears is found in many religions all over world. No one knows the exact meaning of the symbol.

A known German riddle concerning the motif of the three hares is quite describing:

Three hares sharing three ears, yet every one of them has two.

This design has been uncovered in Buddhist caves that are 2500 years old. It is found in some Christian churches throughout Europe, in Islamic art and in Judaism.

All cultures have interpreted this ancient symbol according to what is appropriate with their belief.

In Christianity it has become a symbol of the trinity; Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Originally it may have represented the Triple Goddess. The hare has a long history of being connected to the moon, as has the goddess.

Rabbit and Hare Symbolism

The hare comes out at night to feed. This may be one important reason why the hare is associated with the moon.

People would observe that hares came together in groups and indulge in strange play during nights of clear moonlight.

Rumor had it that the moon beams had strong effect on the hares.

As for the rabbit it is connected to the moon because the rabbit is pregnant for 30 days before giving birth which is linked to the moon cycle.

Rabbit on the Moon

In Japanese folklore there are rabbits living the moon which keep busy making mochi. Mochi is a sticky rice snack.

A similar story is found in Korea. The Korean rabbits on the moon are said to make rice cakes called Tteok.

In Chinese tradition there is a Moon Goddess named Chang-O. She lives on the moon with her rabbit.

This conversation took place between Houston and the Apollo 11 crew just before the first Moon landing in 1969:

Houston: Among the large headlines concerning Apollo this morning, is one asking that you watch for a lovely girl with a big rabbit.

An ancient legend says a beautiful Chinese girl called Chang-O has been living there for 4,000 years.

It seems she was banished to the Moon because she stole the pill of immortality from her husband.

You might also look for her companion, a large Chinese rabbit, who is easy to spot since he is always standing on his hind feet in the shade of a cinnamon tree. The name of the rabbit is not reported.

Michael Collins: Okay. We’ll keep a close eye out for the bunny girl.