A Guide to Rabbit Symbolism in Mythology & Folklore
A Guide to Rabbit Symbolism in Mythology & Folklore
Rabbits have long been symbols of fertility, luck, humility, and intuition. They’re also considered spiritual messengers in many cultural traditions. Ahead you’ll find everything you need to know about the spiritual meanings behind rabbits, including their place as a totem animal and how they appear in art, literature, and mythology.
What do rabbits represent spiritually?

What are the meanings associated with rabbits?

Rabbits are recognized for being fearful and timid. They nervously run and hide from possible predators to protect themselves from danger. Rabbits don’t hide forever, though. They move past their fears and continue with life, which is a wonderful lesson. Break any patterns of running away you might experience and learn to face your fears so you can move on to better things.

Rabbits represent both fertility and abundance. They can reproduce at a very high rate, which has inspired many cultures to celebrate them when it comes to fertility. This fertility consciousness can help you let go and live life more playfully. Fertility doesn’t just mean children, either. It also means “giving birth” to any creative projects you nurture inside. Connecting to rabbits spiritually may inspire your next masterpiece. Abundance through wealth is behind the Jeff Koons sculpture, “Rabbit.” Its stainless steel shine represents social mobility for those with plenty of money and resources.

Rabbits are spiritual messengers who encourage personal growth. Connect to them if you’re looking to start a new journey or adventure. When rabbits come out in springtime, they offer a sense of renewal. Call on the theme of rebirth that rabbits are famous for in your own life when beginning something new. Connecting to a rabbit as a spiritual guide can encourage you to trust your intuition. You may see them in a dream or waking life, but rabbits are there to remind you that you have the power to know what’s right. EXPERT TIP Jason Zuk Jason Zuk Intuitive Psychic Medium Jason Zuk is a Psychic Medium based in Tampa, Florida. He has almost 20 years of experience and has worked professionally as a psychic medium for six years. Jason works with people to confront obstacles and challenges so they can reach personal clarity. He is the Producer and Host of the podcast, The Social Psychic Radio Show, which is a seven-time Award Winning Podcast ranked in the Top 2% of all podcasts globally. Jason is also the Producer and Co-Host with Megan Kane of his second show, Psychic Visions Podcast, which is signed with ElectraCast Media. Jason received his Bachelor of Arts from the University of Tampa, a Juris Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University, and an LL.M. (Master of Law) in International & Comparative Law from Georgetown University. Jason Zuk Jason Zuk Intuitive Psychic Medium Rabbits are connected to many examples of spiritual meaning. A rabbit is highly reproductive, so seeing this animal can point to new beginnings and growth. Rabbits can also signify heightened intuition. In some instances, a rabbit may be associated with the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, symbolizing change as a constant in life.

Rabbits are lucky and are symbols of good fortune. When you see a rabbit, good luck could be headed your way, along with a fortune of some kind. Good fortune comes in many forms—it may be monetary or may reveal itself in the form of a new job, relationship, or opportunity.

Rabbits use quick thinking to outwit their enemies. They may run in a zigzag direction, camouflage themselves, or hide away until the danger is past. Thinking on your feet like a rabbit can help you navigate your way past life’s obstacles and challenges. Skillful rabbits are popular heroes in children’s books, from the cunning white rabbit in Alice in Wonderland to the African-American story of Br’er. In these tales, rabbits prove they’ve got skills, quick thinking, and shrewdness.

Rabbits are particularly vulnerable. They’re seen as innocents who are more prey than predators. The innocence of rabbits is depicted in the Titian painting, “The Madonna of the Rabbit.” Rabbits were seen as being capable of reproducing without intercourse. The rabbit in the painting is a potent symbol of purity as it appears alongside the Virgin Mary.

Cultural Meanings of Rabbits

The Egyptian goddess Unut is depicted as a half-hare. Along with other rabbit-like deities, she represents fertility and the renewal of spring. This ancient part-rabbit goddess could be one of the earliest pagan forms of an Easter celebration.

Native American tribes celebrate a rabbit god named Nanabozho. He taught the people of the Algonquin tribes to fish and draw and named all the plants and animals. Nanabozho could even shapeshift into an actual rabbit when he wanted to. Another Algonquin rabbit deity is called Michabo, who also created the world and ruled over all animals. Southwestern tribes have a trickster rabbit who symbolized fertility, prosperity, and rainfall.

Aztecs believed in a rabbit located on the moon. The god Quetzalcoatl became a man and traveled to Earth, where he met a rabbit who offered him food. Because Quetzalcoatl only ate meat, the rabbit sacrificed himself to please him. The god took the rabbit and placed him up against the moon so the world would remember how generous he was.

Rabbits are one of 12 animals in Chinese astrology. People born in the year of the rabbit are as gentle, humble, and honorable as their fuzzy-tailed counterparts. They are considered among the luckiest in the Chinese zodiac and lead lives filled with prosperity, love, and peace. The Chinese also view rabbits as personifications of the moon goddess.

The Celtic fertility goddess Eostre is shown with rabbits. She is associated with springtime, the Spring Equinox, and the dawn. The Easter celebration is often credited to this Celtic goddess and her ability to shapeshift into a hare.

In the Wiccan tradition, rabbits are associated with witchcraft. They’re also connected to the moon, fertility, and rituals concerning rebirth, shapeshifting, and transformation. It’s also said that witches could transform themselves into rabbits at will.

What is the “3 rabbits” symbol?

The 3 rabbit symbol appears in artwork across the world. It shows 3 rabbits appearing to chase each other in a circle and is linked to the cyclical nature of life and death, along with the moon cycles. The 3 rabbit (or 3 hare) symbol also represents the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) in Christianity and the spreading out of the Jewish diaspora in Judaism.

Are rabbits good or bad luck?

Rabbits have historically been seen as both good and bad omens. Pregnant women in the 16th century would avoid rabbits and hares so they wouldn’t give birth to a baby with a hare lip. White rabbits were seen as lucky in the 17th century, which is how the tradition of a lucky rabbit’s foot began. Seeing a brown rabbit is also considered lucky but indicates stability and healing, as well. Seeing two rabbits carry similar meanings, but seeing a rabbit at night adds on themes of intuition, a need for balance, and heightened awareness. The superstition of saying “rabbit, rabbit” when you first wake up on the 1st of the month is said to bring laughter, good fortune, and peace for that month. It became popular when President Franklin D. Roosevelt expressed his enthusiasm about the practice.

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