Historically speaking, rabbits hold a great deal of symbolic meaning and make appearances in folklore all over the world. They can symbolize many aspects of life, in some tales they are symbols of fertility and life and in others they are tricksters. Whatever the case, they are considered a symbol of fear, sexuality, abundance, good luck, intuition, spontaneity, wittiness, and many more.
But where do those symbolic roles come from?
Maybe one of the most popular association of a Rabbit is fertility and spring and it is reasonable if you have ever saw how rabbits behave around this time of year. Rabbits have one of the fastest reproducing ability and they can have up to 40 babies a year. It is for that reason that they are seen as a symbol of spring, which is a symbol of rebirth, new life, new beginnings, and growth. The rabbit is also tightly associated with Ostara ( Spring equinox) and Eostre (Goddess of fertility), whose symbols are rabbits, eggs and various spring flowers and spring in Anglo–Saxon myth, was often depicted with a rabbit's head or ears, and with a white rabbit standing in attendance, who was believed to lay brightly colored eggs which were given to children during spring festivals - an ancient tradition that is now called the Easter Bunny.
The rabbit is a night animal, thus in some cultures it is greatly linked to the moon and is considered a mythical creature with magical powers.
It has various meanings and beliefs connected to it throughout many cultures and deities.
Native America
In Native America the rabbit is one of the 9 totem animals. The story behind this totem tells of a rabbit fearful of his friend Eye Walker and thus, abandons her. However, because of this the rabbit is cursed to forever call out its fears, making them come true. Despite this, the rabbit totem is a symbol of cleverness, sensitivity, shamanic power, creative problem solving, courage, and quick-wit.
In Native American's lore the hare is considered a trickster, though in some regions it is also about fertility. In one legend, the rabbit is told to have killed the sun through trickery but also for bringing fire to men. Another Cherokee tale, called "Rabbit and Possum on the Prowl", tells of a rabbit and possum both wanting a wife, but no one would want to be their wife. So the rabbit decides they should go to the next settlement, and he as a messenger for the council would tell everyone that he brings an order for everyone to get mated at once. However, the rabbit travelled a lot faster than the possum and arrived first, gave the order and everyone mated before the possum could arrive. The rabbit got a wife, but the possum couldn't and so the rabbit told him he would go to the next establishment and do the same. But in the next town the rabbit told everyone that they should all prepare for war immediately, and so they did. When the possum arrived in the town everyone jumped him and nearly beat the life out of him. In the end he pretended to be dead and got away, but he never got a wife and learned to play dead when a hunter would get close.
On the other hand, in the tales of the Algonquin, Fox, Menoimini, Ottawa, Ojibwa, and Winnebago tribes, Nanabozho (or Manabozho) the Great Hare is a powerful figure and is revered a culture hero, creator of earth, the bringer of light and fire, teacher of sacred rituals and benefactor for all humankind. In other tales he is depicted as a trickster, clown, thief. The Utes tell the story of Ta-vwots, the Little Rabbit, who destroys the sun and the world, all of which must be created again, and an Omaha rabbit brings the sun down to earth while trying to catch his own shadow.
Central American Culture
The Aztecs associated rabbits with the alcoholic drink "pulque" thus, making bunnies symbolic of drunkenness and revelry.
Furthermore, they were also recognized as symbols of fertility, abundance and even of promiscuity.
Eastern Symbolism
In East Asian lore, there is a belief that there is a rabbit on the moon using a mortar and pestle to make sweet rice cakes. Also known as the "Moon Rabbit" or "Jade Rabbit" the rabbit on the moon tale originates from a Buddhist tale. In the tale the Emperor of Heaven, disguised as a beggar, asks the fox, monkey and rabbit to bring him food. The fox brings a fish, the monkey fruit and the rabbit brings him grass. The rabbit then decides to burn the grass and throws himself in as an offering. Thus the Emperor sends the rabbit to the moon to be its guardian
and in order to remind everyone of his great deed of self-sacrifice. Following up this myth it is also believed that the rabbit is making rice cakes (rice is essential part of Asian people's diet) or the elixir of life for the Moon Goddess. Additionally, the rabbit is making this with a mortar and pestle, which probably derives from Chinese belief that the rabbit is a pharmacist, who never grows old and makes medicine. Thus, the rabbit is a symbol of good health and longevity in Chinese culture.
In Japan the belief differs a little bit, instead of making the elixir of life the Japanese believe that the rabbit is making mochi (sweet rice cake) and in their symbolism the hare represents ambition, advancement and self-devotion. Furthermore, in Japan the rabbit symbolizes the coming of the new year and the upcoming spring. Another difference is that in Japanese culture the rabbit is seen as a trickster.
Similarly, in the Panchatantra tales of India and in West African tribes' culture Hare is also a wily Trickster. In one particular African story the Moon sends the hare, her messenger on Earth to bestow immortality upon mankind. However, the rabbit manages to get it wrong and gives them mortality instead. The Moon is so angry, she beats the Hare with a stick, splitting his nose (as it remains today). And gives the Hare the role to lead the dead to the Afterlife in penance for what he’s done.
Celtic symbolism
In Celtic lore, the rabbit is viewed as a supernatural being from the Otherworld with tremendous power. It was believed that it could shapeshift and whoever would harm it would suffer great misfortune. In one legend a Celtic warrior wounds a bunny's leg and chases after it through a door in the ground. Inside he finds a beautiful young woman that was bleeding from a leg wound.
Because of this legend, eating their meat was forbidden in Ireland. In Celtic culture Hares were admired for their strength and speed and they also saw them as the Moon symbol. Celtics associated the circles the rabbits make with the moon cycles, as well as the femininity and fertility. It was believed that when you see a rabbit or baby rabbits running, you should consider reproducing or conceiving a new idea or project. Because of their relationship with the grounds, rabbits were seen as messengers for the underground world - carrying messages between the living and the dead.
Greco-Roman Mythology
In Greco-Roman myth, the hare symbolized romantic love, lust and abundance. Hares were associated with the Goddess Artemis, and therefore newborn hares were not harmed, but left to her protection. Rabbits were also sacred to Aphrodite, because they have the gift of fertility in great abundance.
In Greece, gifting a rabbit was a common love token from a man to his male or female lover. In Rome, it was to help a barren wife conceive.
Other myths tell of many goddesses and their association with rabbits, for example the earth and sky goddess Holda, leader of the Wild Hunt, was followed by a procession of hares bearing torches. Another example is Freyja, the Norse goddess of love, sensuality, and women’s mysteries, who was also served by hare attendants. Kaltes, the shape-shifting moon goddess of western Siberia, liked to roam the hills in the form of a hare, and was sometimes pictured in human shape wearing a headdress with hare’s ears.
As a patron animal
The rabbit is believed to be a guide of balance, fast making decision, and a bearer of fortune and well-being. It is a teacher of being conscious of all actions and thoughts so that you can manifest only positive things in life. It gives you the power to understand the fact that your negative or positive feelings give power to the situations in your life. The lesson a rabbit patron can teach you is to let things be and stop worrying about the things you cannot control.
In Witchcraft
Fertility rituals: place a rabbit skin or anything that you feel is symbolic of the rabbit, under your bed to bring fertility and abundance to your sexual life.
For good luck: it is believed that the rabbit's foot brings good luck to those who carry it. A rabbit talisman can bring limitless energy.
Offerings: Leaving offerings of lettuce, shredded carrots, cabbage, or other fresh greens to wild hares is considered an offering to the deities of spring.
Protection: Add a few rabbit hairs to a jar spell or enchanted jewelry or sachets for protection.
A guide to the underworld: calling on the spirit of rabbits to guide you is said to be good for when you are trying to connect to the Underworld as they are believed to be the messengers of the Otherworld.
With their strong connection to the underworld, The moon's energy and the coming of spring, as well as being symbols of fertility, life, sexuality, abundance, good luck, intuition, spontaneity, wittiness, and many more, the rabbits are powerful spiritual guides with a great significance to witches and witchcraft.
Blessed be Witches~
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