That idea may have come out of China, where the rabbit is considered a pharmacist4. Brer Rabbit East Asia Europe folklore jade rabbit rabbits. Rabbits and hares. I can’t end a post about the rabbit in folklore without talking about Eostre and the supposed origins of Easter and the Easter bunny. Fictional rabbits and hares. In the folklore of various cultures and ancient civilizations, rabbits have represented a kind of Trickster figure. In Chinese, Japanese, and Korean mythology, rabbits live on the moon. It is a Cherokee tale, taken from American Indian Trickster Tales, selected and edited by Richard Erdoes and Alfonso Ortiz. The story exists in many cultures, particularly in Aztec mythology and East Asian folklore, where it is seen pounding in a mortar and pestle. Author and folklorist Suzanna Linton says, Rabbit as a trickster is a motif seen all over Western culture...In some Native American lore, the rabbit is credited with killing the sun (after going on a rampage of his own) through trickery but also for bringing fire to man (a gift some tribes credit to the raven, who is another trickster animal). But how did the jade rabbit get in the moon in the first place? Mar 18, 2014 - The Moon rabbit in folklore is a rabbit that lives on the moon, based on pareidolia that identifies the markings of the moon as a rabbit. Learn how your comment data is processed. Venerable Bede, an ancient historian, is the only source for Eostre (also referred to by some as Ostara), a British goddess associated with spring. If you'd like to know more about the folklore of hares and rabbits, go here and here. In Africa, the hare was considered to be part of the Moon. The Possum never got a wife, but he remembers the lesson, and ever since, he shuts his eyes and pretends to be dead when the hunter has him in a close corner. Further information: Playboy Bunny Wigington, Patti. The rabbit is seen as a trickster figure in many western mythologies. Ravens & Crows in Mythology . In medieval societies in Europe, the March hare was viewed as a major fertility symbol—this is a specific species of lepus that is nocturnal most of the year, but in March when mating season begins, there are bunnies everywhere all day long. An interesting related article is "David Foster Wallace Was Right: Irony is Ruining Our Culture" by Matt Ashby & Brendon Carroll. The obvious one—a rabbit's foot is said to bring good luck to those who carry it, although one might argue that it's not so lucky for the rabbit. When I was growing up and my father wanted to tell us stories about trickster animals, we didn’t hear about a trickster rabbit. They’re a potent emblem of Shamanic journeys and may even be called upon to monitor those rituals. (2020, August 28). Centzon Totochtin In Aztec mythology, the Centzon Totochtin ("four-hundred rabbits") are a group of deities who meet for frequent parties; they are divine rabbits, and the gods of drunkenness. The story exists in many cultures, prominently in East Asian folklore and Aztec mythology. Rabbits are often used as a symbol of fertility or rebirth, and have long been associated with spring and Easter as the Easter Bunny. Sandy Thompson / 500Px Unreleased Plus / Getty. In the spoken Hebrew the use of the word rabbit is similar to the word "chicken" used in the English language. Home / 2021 / March / 3 / rabbits in japanese mythology The Aztecs … They had nearly beaten the life out of him when he fell over and pretended to be dead until he saw a good chance to jump up and get away. Jackalopes are creatures from North American folklore and Huichol mythology. The Rabbit pretended to feel sorry for him and said, “Never mind, I’ll carry the message to the people in the next settlement, and you hurry on as fast as you can, and this time you will get your wife.”. The Rabbit archetype is anything but a “fuzzy bunny” lightweight in the world of Animal Symbolism. Who didn’t grow up reading about Peter Rabbit? They are described as jackrabbits with antlers or horns similar to that of a deer. I’ve looked into this and found so much conflicting information that I knew something was up. In medieval societies in Europe, the March hare was viewed as a major fertility symbol. But when the Rabbit got to the town he sent out the word that, as there had been peace so long that everybody was getting lazy, the council had ordered that there must be war at once and they must begin right in the town. I couldn’t find any sources indicating what Aztecs say the Moon Rabbit is making. It's no surprise that these playful, intelligent and mysterious creatures have attracted the attention of mystics and storytellers throughout the world. She continues to live in South Carolina with her husband and assorted pets. In Aztec and East Asian lore, there is a rabbit on the moon using a mortar and pestle. Rabbits are often used as a symbol of fertility or rebirth, and have long been associated with spring and Easter as the Easter Bunny. The moon rabbit is an insignia of both male and female lunar deities in the Classic Maya period. It’s still called that in most places today. The folklore originated in China and then spread to other Asian cultures. Wigington, Patti. 1. Later, it appears in both the writings of Sir Thomas More, with "As mad not as a March hare, but as a madde dogge,"and later in a 16th-century book of proverbs. But that was my dad for you. Suzanna J. Linton grew up in rural South Carolina on a steady diet of books and tall tales. In some legends, rabbits and hares are the messengers of the underworld— after all, they come and go out of the earth as they please. The moon rabbit or moon hare is a mythical figure who lives on the Moon in Far Eastern folklore. A Look at the Symbolism of Rabbits and Hares in the Ancient Celtic Belief system It’s called “Rabbit and Possum on the Prowl”. This motif appears in numerous churches and other buildings throughout the town. Clara must see through the fog of war to save a nation--and her soul. With Native American Ojibwe mythology, Nanabozho, is an important god or divine being, related to the creation of the world. The tale varies but the result is always the same. Patti Wigington is a pagan author, educator, and licensed clergy. As the Rabbit traveled faster, he got there first and waited outside until the people noticed him and took him into their home. Everybody jumped on the Possum, who had not thought of bringing his weapons on a wedding trip and so could not defend himself. In Korean folklore, it’s believed that the Emperor of Heaven asked the fox, monkey, and rabbit to bring him some food. If you have wild rabbits or hares that live in your yard, leave them an offering of lettuce, shredded carrots, cabbage, or other fresh greens. In others, they are tricksters who may or may not be benevolent. Rabbits make appearances in folklore all over the world. Do you have any suggestions for future posts? There's a reason for that—this is the time of year when rabbits tend to go a bit bonkers. It is based on pareidolia interpretations that identify the dark markings on the near side of the Moon as a rabbit or hare. Wenenut is the female counterpart of the hare-headed God, Weneu. There are various stories, of course. Egg-Laying Bunnies and Mad March Hares. Rabbit as a trickster is a motif seen all over Western culture. Copyright © 2020 Suzanna J. Linton All rights reserved. In Jewish folklore, rabbits (shfanim) are associated with cowardice. Ever hear the phrase "mad as a March hare"? However, in East Asian lore, the rabbit is making rice cakes or the elixir of life for the Goddess of the Moon1. https://www.learnreligions.com/egg-laying-bunnies-and-mad-march-hares-2562459 (accessed April 4, 2021). It is believed that this woman caught hold of a tree and then dragged it with herself to the moon. Author and folklorist Suzanna Linton says, The English village of Dartmoor claims three hares in a circle as its symbol. There are hares as goddesses and the companions of goddesses, hares as messengers, as fertility symbols, and as tricksters. •The fifth month: Five pairs of rabbits produce and three are not ready, so five pairs of rabbits are born (5). In American folklore, we have Brer Rabbit, whose source may be trickster rabbit stories brought by African slaves5. The fox brought fish and the monkey brought fruit. The species' role as a prey animal with few defenses evokes vulnerability and innocence, and in folklore and modern children's stories, rabbits often appear as sympathetic characters, able to connect easily with youth of all kinds (for example, the Velveteen Rabbit, or Thumper in Bambi). In Celtic mythology, the warrior goddess known as the Morrighan often appears in the form of a crow or raven or is seen accompanied by a group of them. Their ears are interlocked, and form a perfect triangle. Let's look at some possible uses for some of that "mad March hare" energy in magic. In some Native American lore, the rabbit is credited with killing the sun (after going on a rampage of his own) through trickery but also for bringing fire to man (a gift some tribes credit to the raven, who is another trickster animal). I’m the messenger for the council, and I’ll tell the people that I bring an order that everybody must take a mate at once, and then we’ll be sure to get our wives.”. Okuninushi was the youngest sibling of 80 cruel brothers, all deities living in Izumo. As our closest celestial neighbour, it is easy to see why the Moon was thought to be a witness to the creation of Earth. Wolpertinger. The Possum thought this a fine plan, so they started off together for the next town. I couldn’t find any sources indicating what Aztecs say the Moon Rabbit is making. In many myths and legends, Rabbits act as guides between Heaven, the Earth, and The Underworld. This story about Possum and Rabbit brings to mind my own childhood. In Aztec and East Asian lore, there is a rabbit on the moon using a mortar and pestle. Brer Rabbit is a figure right out of American folklore and featured in the Disney Movie Song of the South (good luck getting your hands on a copy—it’s out of production). •Though Fibonacci’s question concerning the rabbits is an unrealistic scenario, the sequence can be observed in nature, such as in the array of sunflower seeds and other plants, and the shape of galaxies and hurricanes. Below are the points that relate directly to the subject of this blog post: (And, as a side note, the celebration of Easter existed long before it got to the British isles and was referred to as Pascha. Spring equinox, or Ostara, is a time for fertility and sowing seeds, and so nature's fertility goes a little crazy. Retrieved from https://www.learnreligions.com/egg-laying-bunnies-and-mad-march-hares-2562459. But because rabbit could only gather grass, he built a fire and jumped in, offering himself. The female of the species is superfecund and can conceive a second litter while still pregnant with a first. So he went on to the next town, and the Possum followed close after him. Learn Religions. Paranormal Activity 6: A Love-Hate Tale, Next Post In some tales, they are symbols of life. Every animal took a mate at once, and the Rabbit got a wife. So how did we get the notion that a rabbit comes around and lays colored eggs in the spring? Seen on a clear night the full Moon might, with a bit of imagination, contain the outline of a hare.Throughout Africa there is a myth that at the start of the world, the Moon was so pleased with the Earth that she wanted to give mankind the gift of immortality. Typically, these birds appear in groups of three, and they are seen as a sign that the Morrighan is watching—or possibly getting ready to pay someone a visit. Bringing along Okuninushi in order to carry all their luggage, he soon lagged behind his brothers from the burden. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Because rice is a staple of the Asian diet, to say the rabbit (sometimes referred to as the “jade rabbit”) is making rice cakes is saying he is making the essence of life2. A Letter to Myself: Celebrating Little Victories. The character of the "Easter bunny" first appeared in 16th-century German writings, which said that if well-behaved children built a nest out of their caps or bonnets, they would be rewarded with colored eggs left in the night by an Easter Hare. Is there a particular animal you’d like to see discussed? But the natives of North America had their own trickster rabbit stories. Rona lunar folklore mythology. Wigington, Patti. rabbits in japanese mythology. She is the author of Daily Spellbook for the Good Witch, Wicca Practical Magic and The Daily Spell Journal. Feb 24, 2015 - This story is not a Brer Rabbit story; instead, it is Uncle Remus's version of a flood story. So they all began fighting, but the Rabbit made four great leaps and got away just as the Possum came in. That idea passed to Japan but, instead of making medicine for the elixir of life, he’s making mochi, which is a sweet rice cake. Hearing of the beautiful goddess Yagami-hime in the land of Inaba, every one of the brothers decided to try and woo her. The Moon rabbit in folklore is a rabbit that lives on the Moon, based on pareidolia that identifies the markings of the Moon as a rabbit. A similar expression is found in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, in the Friar's Tale: For though this man were wild as is a hare,To tell his evil deeds I will not spare. He only gives information about the name and the time of her festivals. Retrieved from " https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:Mythological_rabbits_and_hares&oldid=995666550 ". And so on. The following is a story about the trickster rabbit. Like many tricksters, Brer Rabbit uses his brains over his brawn, which somewhat speaks to the difficulty slaves faced in their physical subjugation to Southern plantation owners. Toggle navigation. Unlike rabbits hares do not bear their young below ground in Burrows, but in what is known as a form, which can be a nest of grass or a shallow depression. Some stories can be traced back to their roots, while the origin of others is uncertain or disputed. Hares are associated with Easter and eggs, with madness in March, with the moon, with the … The Emperor was so impressed by this, he placed the rabbit in the moon, surrounded by white smoke to remind everyone of his great deed of self-sacrifice3. "Egg-Laying Bunnies and Mad March Hares." Comment below! She was inspired to be a writer by Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern trilogy. [1][2] In East Asia, it is seen pounding in a mortar and pestle, but the contents of the mortar differ among Chinese, Japanese, and Korean folklore. In hare mythology, the hare is a creature with pagan, sacred and mystic associations, by turns benign, cunning, romantic or, most famously, in its March courtship rituals, mad. And that’s it. The Rabbit and Possum each wanted a wife, but no one would marry either of them. Rabbits in Myth and Folklore The Lunar Year of the Rabbit The rabbit is one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac, celebrated once every tweleve years. Legends of the Noble Rabbit The association between rabbits and the lunar cycle, fertility and longevity did not confine itself within the Egyptian mythology. Although the phrase itself is often attributed to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland adventures, it actually appears much earlier. See more ideas about mythology, folklore, fairy tales. So the chief called the people together and told them the message from the council. The rabbit—for good reason—is often associated with fertility magic and sexual energy. Jacob Grimm of the Brother’s Grimm is the one who came up with the idea of rabbits being associated with Eostre. Sighted only rarely in some areas for much of the year, it retains a mystique long forfeited by rabbits. To this day in Japan, you can buy rabbit-shaped confections to eat during the moon viewing season in autumn. Rabbits have stood out in the human imagination for untold centuries. In today’s Friday Folklore, we’ll take a brief look at rabbits in folklore. The story, though, doesn’t explain why jade rabbit is making something with mortar and pestle. In Mythology The White Hare of Inaba. Pooka (Púca) in Irish Folklore - Irish Mythology & Folklore Rabbit comes around and lays colored eggs in the first place youngest sibling of 80 cruel brothers all... 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