SYMBOLANCE OF JADE RABBIT IN CHINESE CULTURE

In Chinese culture, rabbits are popular because it was the pet and companion of moon goddess, Chang’e (嫦娥) in the Tang Dynasty. Rabbit associated with full moon, especially during Mid-Autumn Festival. It is the symbolism of sacrifice, compassion and selflessness. The Jade Rabbit prepares the medicine and makes mooncakes.

THE STORY

Jade Emperor, the ruler of heaven wanted to mix the elixir of life and give it gods and goddess but he could not complete the process without a help of someone from the earth. He could not rely on humans because of their selfish trait and they might steal the immortality position instead of helping him so he decided to get help from animal.

To find the perfect candidate, Jade Emperor disguised himself a beggar and went to Earth. He asked three animals to help him find food and told them he had not eaten for days. The three animals-rabbit, monkey and a fox went to find the food. The monkey brought back many fruits he picked up from the forest and the fox came back holding the fishes it had caught near the river.

Unfortunately, rabbit could not bring back anything and when he came back he saw the disguised emperor was already eating fruit and fishes. Rabbit felt sad that he could not do anything so he decided to sacrifice himself, in this way at least the beggar could eat meat.

Rabbit charged towards the bonfire near the emperor to sacrifice himself but emperor quickly stopped him on realizing his intention. The beggar changed back to Jade Emperor, the rabbit’s selflessness and sacrifice won him, he has found the worthy candidate for immortality potion. Jade Emperor took the rabbit back with him to the moon and taught him how to make potions.

The rabbit mastered the skill quickly and made the immortality elixir. Jade Emperor was pleased with rabbit’s hard work and devotion so rewarded the rabbit a jade like glow appearance and from then on it was called the Jade Rabbit.