A Guide to Rabbit Symbolism in Spirituality, Mythology, & Folklore

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Explore the symbolism and beliefs surrounding rabbits

Co-authored by Jason Zuk and Maryana Lucia Vestic, MFA, M.Phil.

Last Updated: December 29, 2024 Fact Checked

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Rabbit Spiritual Meanings

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Cultural Meanings

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3 Rabbits Symbol

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Good vs. Bad Luck

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?

Rabbits are spiritually known for fertility, abundance, luck, innocence, and vulnerability. They are associated with the cycles of renewal and rebirth. Rabbits also represent spiritual messengers who can help foster personal growth.

Section 1 of 4:

What are the spiritual meanings associated with rabbits?

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Fertility and abundance Rabbits can reproduce at a very high rate, which has inspired many cultures to celebrate them when it comes to fertility.^{[1]
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Research source} 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.^{[2]
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Personal growth Seeing a rabbit could mean that you're about 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.^{[3]
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- 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.^{[4]
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When you see a rabbit, good luck could be headed your way, along with good fortune of some kind. Good fortune comes in many forms—it may be monetary or reveal itself as a new job, relationship, or opportunity.^{[5]
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Quick thinking Rabbits can run in a zigzag direction, camouflage themselves, or hide away until danger has past, so they've come to represent agile thinking. Thinking on your feet like a rabbit can help you navigate 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.^{[6]
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Vulnerability and innocence Rabbits are seen as innocents who are more prey than predators. They can help you reflect on the most vulnerable parts of yourself, especially when they appear as dream symbols. Rabbits remind us to look at the innocent aspects of our deepest personal truths and to take action when necessary.^{[7]
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- 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.^{[8]
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EXPERT TIP

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
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.

Section 2 of 4:

Cultural Meanings of Rabbits

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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.^{[9]
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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.^{[10]
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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.^{[11]
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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.^{[12]
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Research source} They are considered among the luckiest in the Chinese zodiac and lead lives filled with prosperity, love, and peace.^{[13]
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- The Chinese also view rabbits as personifications of the moon goddess.^{[14]
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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.^{[15]
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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.^{[16]
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Section 3 of 4:

What is the “3 rabbits” symbol?

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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.^{[17]
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- 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.^{[18]
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Section 4 of 4:

Are rabbits good or bad luck?

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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.^{[19]
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- Seeing a brown rabbit is also considered lucky but indicates stability and healing, as well.^{[20]
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  Research source} Seeing two rabbits carry similar meanings, but seeing a rabbit at night adds on themes of intuition, a need for balance, and heightened awareness.^{[21]
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- 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.^{[22]
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