2011 Year of the Rabbit - Chinese Zodiac Sign
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Benevolent Moon Hare: Rabbits in Chinese Culture
Rabbits have long been beloved creatures within Chinese culture. It is no accident that the wily hare was included as one of the twelve most respected animals of the Chinese zodiac, and among Chinese people, the rabbit represents speed, strength and kindness of heart, all of which are traits typically associated with the furry animal.
Those born in the Year of the Rabbit (1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011) are considered to be quite clever and sly people that love work and are romantics. Although they are very modest and merciful, they are also clever enough to strike when opportunity calls and are charming enough to woo their acquaintances.
Page One - Contents At a Glance
• Chinese Folktales of Rabbits
• More Complete and Authentic Version for the Story
• Jade Rabbit(Moon Rabbit)
• Harmonious Hares: Personalities of the Year of the Rabbit
• Which Celebrities Were Born on Rabbit Year ?
• Character in Common
• Guess Who Were Once Nicknamed as Rabbit ?
• Regret Not Being A Rabbit
• Interesting Facts about Rabbit
• Female-Rabbit in Disguise?
• The Rabbit's Perfect Match
• Prepared to Show Your Affection ?
• Best and Worst Compatibility
• Warm Rabbit Hats
Chinese Folktales of Rabbits
Chang'e Went to the Moon
There are many Chinese legends surrounding the rabbit. The most famous of all the rabbit legends is based on the markings on the moon, which appear as the form of a rabbit. The myth says that there was a goddess, Chang'e, who was separated from her husband, Houyi, after she accidentally swallowed an immortality pill and was banished to the moon. Though she was quite lonely by herself on the moon, she was kept company by the Moon Rabbit (or Jade Rabbit), who drafted elixirs there.
More Complete and Authentic Version for the Story
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Moon Goddess Chang'e and Archer Houyi
- Long long ago, there were 10 suns in the sky. They burnt all the plants on the earth. People were dying.
One day, a hero whose name was Hou Yi used his bow and arrows to shoot down nine of them. All the people on the earth were saved.
One day, the queen of heaven gave Hou Yi a bottle elixir that could make Hou Yi become an immortal, but the elixir was only efficacious for one person. Hou Yi did want to become an immortal, but he wanted to stay with his beautiful wife Chang'e more, so he didn't drink the elixir and asked his wife Chang'e to keep it for him.
Hou Yi was becoming more and more famous after he shot down the nine suns and more and more men wanted Hou Yi to be their master. Most of them were accepted by Hou Yi.
Not every student of Hou Yi had good morality. Feng Meng, one of his students, wanted to seize his elixir. One day, Hou Yi went hunting with his students, but Feng Meng pretended to be ill and stay at home. When making sure Hou Yi had gone he went to Hou Yi's house and tried to force Chang'e to give him the elixir. Chang'e knew she couldn't defeat Feng Meng so she drank the elixir immediately. The elixir made her become an immortal and fly higher and higher. Finally, she stopped on the moon.
From then on, people often pray to Chang'e for fortune and safety. During the Mid-Autumn Festival they offer lots of foods to Chang'e.
Jade Rabbit(Moon Rabbit)
Another myth tells the story of the Moon Rabbit, who arrived on the moon after sacrificing himself to a group of fairy sages who built him a palace there in thanks for his sacrifice. This is how the Moon Rabbit supposedly arrived on the moon and kept the goddess, Chang'e, company for eternity.
A third rabbit myth explains the clay rabbit figurines that are popular children's toys around Beijing. The Jade Rabbit is said to have been sent to Beijing by Chang'e to cure a rampaging plague, declining the gifts of those she cured as she went. Therefore, every year on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, Beijingers offer gifts - melons, fruits and vegetables - to the Jade Rabbit in thanks.
Harmonious Hares: Personalities of the Year of the Rabbit
Of all the twelve animals of the Chinese zodiac, none is more sensitive or cautious than the rabbit. 2010 is the Year of the Rabbit, so people born during this year will match those born in 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987 and 1999 with their calm natural sensitivity.
Which Celebrities Were Born in the Year of the Rabbit?
List Content Courtesy of Celebritysky
50 cent, Coolio, Jet Li, Seal, Sting;
Aaron Carter, Ace Frehley, Alex Rodriguez;
Angelina Jolie, Billie Holiday, Boaz Mauda;
Brad Pitt, Brendon Urie, Charlize Theron;
Chrissie Hynde, David Beckham, Dermot Mulroney;
Drew Barrymore, Enrique Iglesias, Eva Longoria;
Frank Sinatra, Garri Kasparov, George Michael;
George Listing, Hilary Duff, Hugh Dancy;
Jesse Arthur McCartney, Joe Labero, Johnny Depp;
Lars Ulrich, Malin Baryard, Maria Sjarapova;
Mayim Bialik, Michael Jordan, Milla Jovovich;
Natalie Imbruglia, Nicolette Sheridan, Niki Taylor;
Olof Palme, Quentin Tarantino, Roger Moore;
Stacy Fergie Ferguson, Steven Soderberg, Tara Reid;
Tiger Woods, Tina Turner, Tobey Maguire;
Tori Amos, Travis Landon Barker, Wes Craven;
Whitney Houston, Zac Efron;
Characters in Common
The basic personality traits for people born in the Year of the Rabbit are sensitivity, calmness, meekness and wisdom. Though a rabbit may seem shy or weak on first glance, make no mistake, they are strong and wilful underneath. However, above all, rabbits are sensitive toward themselves and those around them, and will go to great lengths to maintain face and keep communal harmony.
Guess Who Were Once Nicknamed as Rabbit ?
A Bit of Surprised, Are You?
Regret Not Being A Rabbit
Those born in the Year of the Rabbit are quite friendly people, but they are cautious in making friends and keep their good friends close. They are not particularly outspoken and prefer the company of a group to an independent lifestyle, and they dislike being put in the spotlight.
Rabbits can always be relied upon to keep the peace and to help their friends work out their problems amicably. It is for this reason that people born in the Year of the Rabbit tend to make excellent diplomats and politicians, for their inner cunning allows them to maintain a friendly exterior while also working through difficult problem-solving activities.
Interesting Facts about Rabbit
Zodiac Stone: Pearl
Special Flower: Jonquil
Best Hours: 5-7 am
Season: Spring
Horoscope Colors: Grey, White
Female-Rabbit in Disguise?
Female rabbits are considerate and warm. They make wonderful friends and are always keen for a chat or time spent in a small group. Male rabbits are charming and gentile, while also possessing a crafty element that allows them to think more highly of themselves than others. For this reason, it is always best to be on your guard with a rabbit, as they may seem quite friendly upfront, but you never know what they may be plotting when you're not looking!
Jessica Rabbit - Has Rabbit in Her Name and Looks Like Too!!!
The Rabbit's Perfect Match
Overview of Rabbit's Love Affairs in the Coming Year
The Chinese zodiac consists of twelve signs that are represented by twelve different animals, one for each of twelve years. Every twelve years, the signs recur, meaning that a little more than once a decade, twelve new generations of animals are born.
2011 is the Year of the Rabbit, according to Chinese astrology, and rabbits, like every other animal of the zodiac, are said to have certain characteristics, and also are said to be more compatible with certain animals than others. And because rabbits are known to be so delicate, thoughtful, cautious and wise, it is of utmost importance that people born in the Year of the Rabbit make sure that their spouses, business partners and other close relationships are of compatible signs. At the very least, understanding which animals they are most (and least) compatible with can help those born in the Year of the Rabbit to better understand the relationships in their lives overall.
Prepare to Show Your Affection ?
Rabbit Can Be the Ideal Messenger
Best and Worst Compatibility
Best Compatibility
Most compatible with the delicate rabbit is the sensible sheep - also known as the ram - who offers an artistic flair and a shrewd and reasonable outlook on life that both appeals to the rabbit and makes her feel comfortable. Likewise, the sheep, who is quite sensitive and insecure, will feel safe with the wise and keen rabbit.
Dogs also make great partners for rabbits, as the dog is a kind and caring animal who thrives on loving and being loved. The dog's dedication will appeal to the rabbit's need to feel protected and the rabbit will know that she can always trust the honest and sincere love of the dog.
The pig is the third best match for the rabbit, as pigs (also called boars), too, are both honorable and sincere, qualities that the rabbit values very much. Though not always a perfect match, the pig and the rabbit generally see eye-to-eye and can understand one another easily.
Worst Compatibility
Rabbits would do well to avoid tigers because they make the rabbit feel uncomfortable and threatened. The tiger's aggressive and forward nature makes the rabbit insecure and miscommunication is sure to ensue between these two. Likewise, the horse and the rabbit do not go together, as the horse's energy, quick-wit and sex appeal will all threaten the rabbit.
Warm Rabbit Hats
Page Two - Contents At a Glance
• Rabbits in Other Myths
• More Tales Can Be Found Here
• Rabbit and Five Elements
• Chinese Proverbs VS English Indioms
• Rabbit in Literary
• Rabbit Films and Animations
• Lucky Year of Rabbit Tattoos
• ARBA-accepted Varieties And Some Domestic Rabbit Breeds
• Celebrity Rabbit Owners
• Guestbook
• Rabbit Superstition A B C
• History Today - Influential Events on Rabbit Year
• Featured Lenses
Rabbits in Other Myths
© Copyright ronnie leask
and reuse under CC Licence
In Aztec mythology, a pantheon of four hundred rabbit gods known as Centzon Totochtin, led by Ometotchtli or Two Rabbit, represented fertility, parties, and drunkenness.
In Central Africa, "Kalulu" the rabbit is widely known as a tricky character, getting the better of bargains.
A rabbit's foot is carried as an amulet believed to bring good luck. This is found in many parts of the world, and with the earliest use being in Europe around 600 B.C.
In Japanese tradition, rabbits live on the Moon where they make mochi, the popular snack of mashed sticky rice. This comes from interpreting the pattern of dark patches on the moon as a rabbit standing on tiptoes on the left pounding on an usu, a Japanese mortar.
In Jewish folklore, rabbits are associated with cowardice, a usage still current in contemporary Israeli spoken Hebrew (similar to English colloquial use of "chicken" to denote cowardice).
A Korean myth similar to the Japanese counterpart presents rabbits living on the moon making rice cakes (Tteok in Korean).
In Native American Ojibwe mythology, Nanabozho, or Great Rabbit, is an important deity related to the creation of the world.
A Vietnamese mythological story portrays the rabbit of innocence and youthfulness. The Gods of the myth are shown to be hunting and killing rabbits to show off their power.
"Taushan Tepe" (Rabbit Hill) was the Turkish name of Kabile, Bulgaria.
More Tales Can Be Found Here
© Copyright Andrew Curtis
and reuse under CC Licence
In Egyptian myth, hares were also closely associated with the cycles of the moon, which was viewed as masculine when waxing and feminine when waning.
In Greece, the gift of a rabbit was a common love token from a man to his male or female lover.
In Rome, the gift of a rabbit was intended to help a barren wife conceive. Carvings of rabbits eating grapes and figs appear on both Greek and Roman tombs, where they symbolize the transformative cycle of life, death, and rebirth.
In Teutonic myth, the earth and sky goddess Holda, leader of the Wild Hunt, was followed by a procession of hares bearing torches.
As Christianity took hold in western Europe, hares and rabbits, so firmly associated with the Goddess, came to be seen in a less favorable light - viewed suspiciously as the familiars of witches, or as witches themselves in animal form.
Renaissance painters used the symbol of a white rabbit to convey a different meaning altogether: one of chastity and purity.
In Potawatomi myth, Wabosso is the Great White Hare (and the younger brother of Nanabozho) who travels north to become the greatest of magicians among the supernaturals.
Rabbits and Five Elements
Metal gives Rabbits more strength, resilience and determination. Metal Rabbits are more intense in their actions, whether they're work-related or romantic.
Like the currents, Water Rabbits prefer to go with the flow, avoiding conflict at all costs, even in situations that are bothersome. It's easy to take advantage of Water Rabbits. They're very supportive of others.
Wood Rabbits occupy their time doing for others; always feeling the need to make others content. This generosity is easy for others to take advantage of and sometimes Water Rabbits don't even realize is happening.
Fire adds spark to the Rabbit's personality and all that Fire Rabbits do. Fire compels Rabbits to seek new adventures. Prone to tantrums, Fire Rabbits prefer to avoid conflict.
Earth Rabbits are grounded in reality. Their advice can be harsh, but honest. Home life is important to Earth Rabbits as are money and material goods.
Chinese Proverbs VS English Indioms
Key Words: Rabbits, Hares
A. ( Rabbits do not eat the grass around their burrows or A villain doesn't harm his neighbors): The proverb is used derogatorily. It is believed that a villain usually does not harm his neighbors.
a. First catch your hare (then cook him): Do not make plans about what you will do when you have something until you actually have it;
B. (A sly rabbit will have three openings to its den): means having many plans to escape misfortune.
b. If you run after two hares, you will catch neither: You cannot do two things successfully at the same time;
C. (Waiting for a rabbit to hit upon a tree and be killed in order to catch it.): Foolishly waiting for a most unlikely windfall instead of doing any work or trust to the chance and stroke of luck.
c. Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds: to support both sides of a dispute;
D. (The tortoise wins the race while the hare is sleeping.) : A fable used to depict that even the genius would be defeated by the one who pour all his efforts into achieving a goal.
d. Be like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights: to be so frightened or surprised that you cannot move or think;
E. (Foxes grieve over the death of rabbits): The proverb is used derogatorily to refer to the forlornness that bad people feel upon learning the misfortune of their like.
e. Pull a rabbit out of your hat or pull a rabbit out of a hat: to do something surprising;
Rabbit in Literary
White Rabbit Doctor, March Hare from Alice in Wonderland
The Velveteen Rabbit - by Margery Williams
The Tale of Peter Rabbit - written and illustrated by Beatrix Potter
Bunnicula - by Deborah and James Howe
Winnie the Pooh - by A.A. Milne
The Magic Hare - by Lynn Reid Banks
The Magic Hare courtesy of miahalf0 via Flickr (CC license)
Rabbit Films and Animations
Content courtesy of Wikipedia
Lucky Year of Rabbit Tattoos
SHARPIE SHOW courtesy of SNOTY PIMPIN [[PRO FOR 1 YEAR MO!!]] via Flickr (CC license)
Lucky Tattoos Inspire Fortune - Get Lucky Tattoos
Lucky tattoo designs have become increasingly popular today. We all want to be lucky and having a little something extra gives you confidence. It might have crossed your mind that with some lucky tattoo designs you could keep your good fortune with you always. No more leaving your lucky charm on the nightstand and failing the important test because you do not have it. No more loosing the bingo you almost had because you forgot your rabbit's foot at home. The luck is with you wherever you go and best of all it is now a part of your body art collection forever.
You know luck is with you always, just some of the time it is good and sometimes not so good. Luck is the belief in either good or bad things happening in your life by accident or chance beyond your control. You also know that you are not alone. Throughout time people have looked for ways to increase their good fortune while minimizing their risks by utilizing either faith or superstition to give them an edge.
A rabbit's foot is thought of as lucky. It is known to be a charm against misfortune.
For Watch Only!!!
Ink in Wonderland: 25 Mad Alice in Wonderland Tattoos
ARBA-accepted Varieties And Some Domestic Rabbit Breeds
ARBA is short for American Rabbit Breeders Association, Inc.
1. Blue, White American rabbit, 2. Argente (Champagne d'Argent),
3. Beveren, 4. Blue of Sint-Niklaas (Internationally Accepted ),
5. Blue of Hem ((Internationally Accepted ), 6. Blanc de Bouscat,
7. Blanc de Hotot, 8. Brazilian rabbit,
9. British Giant, 10. Britannia Petite,
11. Californian, 12. Cashmere,
13. Checkered Giant, 14. (American, Standard, Giant) Chinchilla,
15. Cinnamon, 16. Dutch Rabbit,
17. Dwarf Hotot, 18. Elfin (Related to Swedish hare),
19. Enderby Island Rabbit, 20. English Spot,
21. Flemish Giant, 22. Himalayan,
23. Holland Lop, 24. Jersey Wooly,
25. Lionhead (newest breeds of domesticated rabbits),
26. Lop Bunnies(oldest breeds of domesticated rabbits),
27. New Zealand rabbit, 28. Palomino rabbit,
29. Polish rabbit, 30. (Standard) Mini Rex,
31. Rhinelander rabbit(full-arch breed),
32. Satin, 33. Siberian rabbit(a very graceful rabbit),
34. Silver rabbit, 35. Thrianta,
36. Spanish giant (Valenciano breed), 37. Sussex(rare breed),
38. Silver Fox(Listed "Critical" by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy),
Celebrity Rabbit Owners
Just List A Few, You Can Help By Adding More Names.
Paris Hilton
Amy Sedaris
Andy Rodderick
Sienna Miller
Clint Eastwood
Miley Cyrus
Danielle Steel
Annette Edwards
Guestbook
Special Thanks to All who Give Me a Hand Whenever I Need and Wherever I Am!
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McBub-Squidoo
May 27, 2012 @ 10:45 pm | delete
- And 2012 is dragon year according to Chinese Calendar.
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naheedahsan
Mar 5, 2012 @ 1:16 pm | delete
- awesome lens, well done
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wolfie10
Nov 7, 2011 @ 4:04 am | delete
- learned a lot about rabbits. thanks you
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THarmonArt
May 8, 2011 @ 3:43 am | delete
- Love your lens! More information than I could ever have asked for. Great illustrations, too. I have a Flemish Giant and a hotot rabbit, and I was born in the year of the rabbit, too! This is a fun lens to read about how the rabbit is viewed in different cultures. Great job!
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jaktraks
May 4, 2011 @ 9:05 am | delete
- Awesome lens - really enjoyed it.
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- Load More
Rabbit Superstition A B C
"Rabbit rabbit" is a common British superstition. The most common modern version states that a person should say "rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit", "rabbit, rabbit, rabbit" or simply "white rabbits" upon waking on the first day of each new month, and on doing so will receive good luck for the duration of that month.
Bad luck is associated with rabbits, as one superstition says that it is unlucky to meet with a rabbit or hare. However, in some circles, if a rabbit crosses your path before you, it is a good sign, while if it crosses behind you - watch out for a string of bad luck. Throughout some English countries, it is frowned upon to shoot a black rabbit, as it is believed that ancestral spirits take on this form. Suffolk residents looked at white rabbits as witches and believed they too were unlucky to shoot. In some areas Black Rabbits are thought to host the souls of human beings.
White Rabbit: White rabbit is declared to be the "no returns" policy on the "pinch and the punch" the receiver felt. White Rabbits are said to be really witches.
A common lucky charm is a Rabbit's foot, but not for the Rabbit. It is the rabbit's ability for reproducing at such a rapid and prolific rate that earns its foot an association with fertility. Carrying a rabbit's foot around serves as a symbol of new life, but on the other hand - has dark connotations. The foot has also been linked to witches, the Devil, and darkness since the animals live below the ground. However, as it stands, owning a rabbit's foot serves as a powerful connection with what is believed to be a magical creature.
When it comes to the left hind foot, it is recommended to carry it in the left pocket. It is thought to bring more positive energy to the owner, as the rabbit's strong hind legs touch the ground before its front legs. Ancient people believed this was a fascinating ability; therefore, they believed the rabbit possessed magical powers.
Animal Superstitions - Rabbits and Rabbit's Feet
The Easter Bunny or Easter Hare (Spring Bunny in the U.S) is a character depicted as a rabbit bringing Easter eggs, who sometimes is depicted with clothes. In legend, the creature brings baskets filled with colored eggs, candy and sometimes also toys to the homes of children on the night before Easter. The Easter Bunny will either put the baskets in a designated place or hide them somewhere in the house or garden for the children to find when they wake up in the morning.History Today - Influential Events on Rabbit Year
1999 December 20 - The handover of Macau to China.
1987 July 11 - Five Billion Day
1975 November 26 - China launched the 1st recoverable, remote sensing satellite.
1963 November 22 - American President John Fitzgerald Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.
1951 June 6 - Dr. Alfred Bauer founded Berlin International Film Festival.
1939 September 1 - The WW II broke out.
1927 May 26 - Ford produced the 15 million Lisa Brand Light Vehicle in Detroit.
1915 December 12 - Chinese president Yuan Shikai declares himself Emperor.
1903 Nobel Prizes (Physics) - Antoine Henri Becquerel, Pierre Curie, and Marie Curie
Content courtesy of Wikipedia
Keystone 8mm model B8 courtesy of B.S. Wise via Flickr (CC license)
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