I hadn't heard of this before last night, October 31. But it is apparently good luck to mark the first day of each new month by starting off the morning with the words "Rabbit, Rabbit" or "Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit". If these are the first words said by you, or to you, at the start of each month, you will be the happier for it. "Rabbit, Rabbit, White Rabbit" also works.
The exact origin of the superstition is certainly unknown, though it has appeared in print at least as early as 1420 in England, where it is most commonly said to have originated, though some reports place its origins even earlier, into the 1200s. Today it has spread to most of the English-speaking countries of the world, although like all folklore, determining its exact area of distribution is difficult. The superstition is related to the broader belief in the rabbit or hare being a “lucky” animal, as exhibited in the practice of carrying a rabbit's foot for luck.
Some have also believed it is representing a jumping into the future and moving ahead with life and happiness. I thought it might have something to do with Alice in Wonderland. But the superstition appears to predate the classic story.
I remembered my conversation with the gent who informed me of this superstition/tradition sometime after breakfast. I'd most likely uttered many phrases before then ... to myself, to my cat, to the tv. So I guess my month will unfold in typical unexceptional fashion. What else is new?
Anyway, this rabbit folklore reminds me that my father's favorite way to spook us as children was to mention "The Big Rabbit". If we wanted to go outside to play at dusk or in the dark, he'd remind us that The Big Rabbit might get us. There was never any monster or vampire out there (was there?) ... just The Big Rabbit. He always got a smile out of us. Though I think I believed it for a while. I'm not sure if there is any connection, but it makes me think.
The exact origin of the superstition is certainly unknown, though it has appeared in print at least as early as 1420 in England, where it is most commonly said to have originated, though some reports place its origins even earlier, into the 1200s. Today it has spread to most of the English-speaking countries of the world, although like all folklore, determining its exact area of distribution is difficult. The superstition is related to the broader belief in the rabbit or hare being a “lucky” animal, as exhibited in the practice of carrying a rabbit's foot for luck.
Some have also believed it is representing a jumping into the future and moving ahead with life and happiness. I thought it might have something to do with Alice in Wonderland. But the superstition appears to predate the classic story.
I remembered my conversation with the gent who informed me of this superstition/tradition sometime after breakfast. I'd most likely uttered many phrases before then ... to myself, to my cat, to the tv. So I guess my month will unfold in typical unexceptional fashion. What else is new?
Anyway, this rabbit folklore reminds me that my father's favorite way to spook us as children was to mention "The Big Rabbit". If we wanted to go outside to play at dusk or in the dark, he'd remind us that The Big Rabbit might get us. There was never any monster or vampire out there (was there?) ... just The Big Rabbit. He always got a smile out of us. Though I think I believed it for a while. I'm not sure if there is any connection, but it makes me think.
If you are like me and are unfamiliar with this rabbit superstition or if you forgot and chatted to your cat whilst toasting your bagel, or cursed at the tv weatherman, your shower, or life in general... there is still time to reap the benefits. So says this soothsayer I visited:
You'll have good luck all month if the first words you utter on the first of the month are "rabbit rabbit." Bonus luck if it's your birth month.If it's the first of the month and you're reading this, don't fret. Simply reverse the process as you drift off into slumber land repeating "tibbar tibbar." That's rabbit rabbit backwards.
You'll have good luck all month if the first words you utter on the first of the month are "rabbit rabbit." Bonus luck if it's your birth month.If it's the first of the month and you're reading this, don't fret. Simply reverse the process as you drift off into slumber land repeating "tibbar tibbar." That's rabbit rabbit backwards.
3 comments:
I have heard this before, but I learned it only when I was in college (in Maine, by the way). I also learned about 'Little Bunny Foo-foo' at this time. Ah, college, the years to pick up random bunny lore.
It turns out Pa's "big rabbit" was an actual rabbit that used to lurk around by the barn. It was neither big nor scary. At the time, I pictured something closer to the rabbit in "Donnie Darko" -- much much scarier. Children can have such elaborate imaginations.
Why don't I remember that? I knew he was kidding us, of course. But if I got that creepy feeling that the Big Rabbit or something was lurking I'd sing out loud and get the hell out of there. Why did singing help?
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