WHAT IS YOUR SIGN: ANIMAL SYMBOLISM OF THE RABBIT
Some general symbolic rabbit meanings include:
- Love
- Luck
- Shyness
- Speed
- Growth
- Rebirth
- Creativity
- Harmony
- Family
- Awareness
- Perception
- Abundance
- Esoteric Knowledge
Symbolic rabbit meanings deal primarily with abundance, comfort, and
vulnerability. Traditionally, rabbits are associated with fertility, sentiment,
desire, and procreation. Rabbit meanings are also closely linked to the
seasons, the changes of Mother Earth, and specifically springtime. Have you
ever heard the term "madder than a March hare?" I have (my mom says it). It has to do with rabbits going bonkers around this time of year.
Symbolic Rabbit Meanings via Physical/Behavioral Associations
Rabbits love to chew, and their teeth never stop growing.
Symbolically, chewing implies repetition, contemplation, and breaking
concepts down into component parts. Their diet is light and green, which implies symbolism of health and prosperity.
Rabbits are burrowers and their deep, maze-like tunnels symbolize
connections with primal energy as well as Mother Earth energies. The
rabbit encourages us to retreat within, get warm, and collect ourselves.
They also prompt us to connect with the Mother in deeper ways. Rabbits prefer to be on the ground; they are true earth element animals. We cannot help but be reminded of groundedness in their presence.
Rabbits and hares are nocturnal and share the same lunar symbolism.
The moon is often depicted as a rabbit in many cultures, thus lending
associations of deep intuition and emotionality. For sure, the rabbit
symbolizes reflection.
Symbolic Rabbit Meanings Around the World
In Buddhist culture, it is said that the Buddha, disguised as a
hare, threw himself in a fire as sacrifice to the god Indra. His reward
was to live an eternal life as the moon.
The ancient Mayans thought the moon's change of phase resembled the motion of a jumping rabbit. See more Mayan symbols here.
In Mesopotamian myths, the rabbit was associated with feminine power
because of their ability to procreate quickly and easily. They were
also aligned with the triple goddess within their pantheon because of
the rabbit's triangular teeth, and commonly having litters of three.
Rabbits are historically tied to the celebration of Easter and its'
implications of sacrifice, redemption, and resurrection. Rabbits
represent the freshness of spring and the promise of wonderful things to
come.
The rabbit is sacred to Ostara (or Eostre), a Germanic fertility
maiden Goddess. She is the epitome of celebrating new life. She is the
expectant one - and her vision only sees potential. In every nuance of
experience, Ostara sees indwelling life, and keeps her attention honed
there. She's the reason spring unleashes its vitality - because Ostara
has kept her light bright, her vigil of life strong and her focus of
promise remained stoic even in the leanest months of winter. Trace your
history and you will find this nurturing goddess at the prime root of
the festival of Easter, and her sacred rabbit has been morphed
into the Easter bunny over the centuries because she had the head of a
hare, and the body of a goddess. Ostara is also connected with the
vernal equinox (by the same name) which occurs March 20-21st.
In Native American folklore, Manabozho
is the Great Hare, a trickster god. He is a shape-shifter and by his
tricks, helps to spawn creation. The rabbit is a powerful and
well-respected animal totem for these cultures. See more Native American symbols here.
The rabbit is the fourth animal in the Chinese astrological chart.
Those born under the sign of the rabbit are conservative, friendly, and
deeply compassionate. They are creative and active and avoid conflict.
View Chinese zodiac symbols here.
Rabbit Meanings as Totems/Animal Guides
Rabbits are highly social animals, displaying genuine feelings of
happiness and affection. Vice versa, they can display aggression,
jealousy, and hostility in their social environment. These kind of
behaviors are common in every family and community and as such, the
rabbit is a symbol of working out social differences and getting along
with our fellow society members.
These animals are about body and soul. Consider the amazing perceptive abilities of the rabbit. Radar-like hearing and near 360 degree vision speak of sensitivity. The rabbit reminds us to examine and utilize the tools we have within ourselves. Although our instincts are innate, they also need nurturing and development.
If you've held a rabbit, you know their hearts beat very fast and
hence they are often associated with people who have highly sensitive,
extremely alert, and very cautious personalities.
