Rabbits and hares are a symbol of spring, the 'Mad as a March hare' saying comes from rabbits and hares fighting in spring. People automatically assume that rabbits are meek, timid animals. That is not always the case. Mona Lisa Rabbit, in who's memory this entire blog and internet radio station 'Critters Anonymous' is dedicated, was a fiery female house rabbit. Woe betide anyone who put their hand in her cage. She would growl and attempt to bite them. When she was out of her home she was amicable enough, but she was very territorial.
Rabbits were, in some ancient and older civilizations, worshipped as Gods and Goddesses, or seen as creatures of wisdom and symbols of other deities. Interestingly, in two different cultures, rabbits were also associated with snakes.
Ix Chel (Lady Rainbow), an ancient Mayan Goddess was originally portrayed with a snake but later, another Aztec/Mayan moon goddess was portrayed as holding a rabbit. The Centzon Totochin was a group of four hundred drunken rabbit Gods of the Maya. They were Rabbit gods of parties and having a good time. They were presided over by Ometochli - (in English, Two Rabbits) and Macuiltochli (Five Rabbits) who were powerful warrior rabbit Gods. The Rabbit Scribe, is also a scribe male Rabbit god of the Moon.
Unut, also called Wenet, is an ancient Egyptian rabbit Goddess, known as 'The Swift One'. She had area 15 in ancient middle/lower Egypt named after her, 'The Hare' or 'The Rabbit'. Originally, Unut was a snake Goddess who later became a rabbit Goddess.
Freya, the Viking Goddess of Friday was attended by rabbits as were a number of Celtic Goddesses, one who apparently shape shifted in to a rabbit. One of the most famous Easter Goddesses is Eostre. Also, one of the artist Titian's paintings shows the Virgin Mary with a rabbit. Boudicca, the famous Ancient Briton, Queen of the Iceni tribe who fought against the Romans, released a hare before each battle. In ancient times rabbits were treated with respect in many cultures and their movement has been used to tell many a fortune.
Followers of the Astral Path
The Rabbits Codex
Unut, The Swift One
