Saturday 27 March 2010

The Moon Rabbit

It is said that if you look at the dark shadows on the moon you can see the shape of a large rabbit. Many legends have sprung up over the ages as people have gazed up at the moon and spotted him. Chinese legends abound but he also appears in Japanese legends, Korean, Aztek and in the Buddhist Jataka tales. In one of my favourite books, Watership Down, he is known as the Black Rabbit of Inlé. According to the book Inlé is the Lapine word for Moon and the Black Rabbit of Inlé is a Rabbit who only appears when it is time for a rabbit to die. Most of the rabbits who live on the hill above my house are the usual grey brown colour but not this chap.

9 comments:

  1. oh I should read Watership Down again! This is a nice looking black rabbit,

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  2. I try to make it to ten years between readings but I rarely succeed. :)

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  3. I haven't read this legend....very very interesting. And great photo!!!

    Here's MINE --White Winged Dove sittin' in a tree C O O I N G!!
    [scroll down a bit in my Saturday post]

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  4. Watership Down ... one of my favorites ... I finally found a hard back copy that didn't cost a fortune! Rabbits and spring time ... a match made in heaven?!!!!

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  5. Must read the story, interesting. Thanks for stopping by:)

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  6. I can see your bunny! Just in time for next week's easter celebration. :D

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  7. That's a great capture, and I like the legend as well!

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  8. This is such an interesting post and loved your rabbit photo too. It's been ages since I have been able to photograph a rabbit. I haven't seen one in quite a while. Thanks for stopping by Michael. Have a great week.

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