You must be very familiar with the story of the race between Tortoise and Rabbit. In Chinese culture, rabbit can be used to symbolize the moon. Ancient Chinese believed there was a rabbit living on the moon. They could see it on the shiny full moon on Mid-Autumn Day. Though the success of the Apollo Program proved the rabbit never lived on the moon, but its lucky image never faded. The rabbit, called in Chinese the Jade Rabbit or the Moon Rabbit, is a companion of the Moon Goddess who never grows old. It makes medicine by grinding herb with a mortar and pestle.

Chinese Rabbit Painting

So there are some cultural meanings related to this folktale. In the Chinese myth Chang'e Flying to the Moon, the jade rabbit pounding Chinese herb medicines under an osmanthus tree means helping to bring good luck to the people on earth. What’s more, in ancient literature the jade rabbit is often compared to the moon. According to legend, people can climb higher levels in their life in the year of rabbit as rabbit has shorter forelegs and longer hind legs, which makes it better at climbing up than down. People wish to have better development in the rabbit year. Rabbits, especially ones with white hair, are also a symbol of longevity in traditional Chinese culture.

Besides, many interesting tales about rabbit will be mentioned. After knowing that you will find how charming and lovely the rabbits are.

Ancient Chinese men before the Han Dynasty believed that there were no male rabbits and female rabbits only became pregnant by watching the moon and spat out babies from their mouths. The origin of the Chinese term for rabbit "tuzi" was drawn from this belief, where tu means 'spit' and zi means 'babies'. This belief was corrected in the Han Dynasty. Mulan Ci, the story of Hua Mulan, talked about the way to tell rabbits' gender by lifting the rabbit by its ears. It was said that male rabbit's feet kept moving while female rabbit's eyes squint.

A lot of Chinese sayings are associated with the rabbit. "Quick as a fleeing bunny" describes great agility, while "A wily rabbit has three burrows" describes someone who has more than one line of retreat prepared, or who can flexibly resolve complex situations. The rabbit and fox are both considered to be smart and resourceful, so the saying "When the rabbit dies, the fox grieves" describes the bond between opponents who are also kindred spirits.

Rabbit people who were born at the time of 5 to 7 a.m., named mao shi (time period of mao) are famous for their artistic sense and good taste. Style as well as an eye for beauty is especially associated with this group whose members possess refined tastes together with artistic skills. In whatever walk of life Rabbits find themselves, they will always be distinguished by this sense of refinement and their cultured views. Elegant both physically and intellectually, Rabbits will always stand out from the crowd either as extremely stylish dressers or because they create an individualistic fashion statement of their own. They are outstanding workers, although they don't always stick to their opinions.

Chinese Zodiac Animals Painting

Rat: emotional and opportunist

Rat-gifted personality feels sharp, good at many aspects of development, rich in the emotion, dare to take risks, never give up halfway. while, sometimes distorts the facts and blame others.

Chinese Animals-Mouse Painting

Ox: indomitable, authority activists

Good leadership, the authoritative doctrine, dealing with people circumspectly, think twice before implementation, strong family values, taking a positive attitude towards life, refusing to be cowed or submitted, consistent character.

Chinese Animals-Cow Painting

Tiger: brave, optimistic, human protector

Tiger independent heart strong, gladness with perseverance, indomitable spirit, all things have a well-thought-out plan, heart to wait for opportunity strategy. Tiger is a symbol of good luck, pursue tenacious life and avoid overcharge.

Chinese Animals-Tiger Painting

Rabbit: noble silence, hedonist

Rabbit naturally gentle, honest, generous and elegant noble, be scanty of words. Has a unique temperament and taste in the design and creation. Quick action may sometimes be reckless, need to pay special attention to your weaknesses.

Chinese Animals-Rabbit Painting

Dragon: confident, an idealist

The dragon is the ideal pursuit, pursuing his dream of unremitting efforts. Dragon is a symbol of luck, virtue, peace and long life. Generous enthusiasm is also very brave and confident. The women would have many suitors.

Chinese Animals-Dragon Painting

Snake: beautiful and humor, jealous of love

The male has romantic humor, attractive, and women, beautiful and charming. Judgment is extremely strong, work step by step until climb to the peak. Looks bold, dress is very exquisite, more attempts to modify themselves.

Chinese Animals-Snake Painting

Horse: lively open and bright

The person tends to be outgoing, lively and cheerful, compassionate and popular. Tend to have outstanding appearance, know how to dress and a natural politician. Independent subjective can do anything in indulge in arbitrary decisions and peremptory actions, not accept others opinions. Good at managing money, do not know how to please the opposite sex.

Chinese Animals-Horse Painting

Ram: mercy benevolence, capricious artist

Born in the year of goat people are noble, charming, artistic temperament, also love nature. Meek appearance, but seek other tenacity and fighting spirit is unusual. The sheep is the importance of family, love children and parents. Everything is discreet, but need to strengthen to be responsible, initiative and creative.

Chinese Animals-Sheep Painting

Monkey: playful and intelligent, individualist

The monkey is full of the wisdom of the intellectuals, informative, has a remarkable memory. Monkey like diplomats in a way, to avoid their plight. Persons tend to be easy to get love, but not easy to be satisfied. Intelligent ability can make the time, in the cause of good performance.

Chinese Animals-Monkey Painting

Rooster: handsome frank, who loves the limelight

Chicken have prophetic vision, not trusting of others, but to give advice and support others. In love, the feeling of husband and wife is very good, pay attention to the atmosphere.

Chinese Animals-Chicken Painting

Dog:  very honest.

The dog more pessimistic love nature, seek truth, for life had no prayer. The dog gives unlimited confidence, ready to serve others, respected. In love the dog is honest and upright, encountered trouble only to blame himself.

Chinese Animals-Dog Painting

Pig: selfless, materialist

The pig is brave, careful, polite and helpful. Selfless character, can admit their mistakes, but also can forgive the mistakes of others. Sincere, absolutely reliable and are suitable for all walks of life, his conscience and hard-working and able to achieve success.

Chinese Animals-Pig Painting

In terms of the animals of Chinese zodiacs, each animal covers one year long. While all the twelve constellations only covers the whole year, which more focus on your birth day. Now, check it. You will receive a surprise.

Twelve Constellations

Sagittarius

Merit: Optimistic, freedom-loving, jovial, good-humored, honest, straightforward, intellectual and philosophical.

Demerit: Blindly optimistic, careless, irresponsible, superficial, tactless and restless.

Capricorn

Merit: Practical, prudent, ambitious, disciplined, patient, careful, humorous and reserved.

Demerit: Pessimistic, fatalistic, miserly and grudging.

Aquarius

Merit: Friendly, humanitarian, honest, loyal, original, inventive, independent and intellectual.

Demerit: Intractable, contrary, perverse, unpredictable, unemotional and detached.

Pisces

Merit: Imaginative, sensitive, compassionate, kind, unworldly, intuitive and sympathetic.

Demerit: Escapist, idealistic, secretive, vague, weak-willed and easily led.

Aries

Merit: Adventurous, energetic, pioneering, courageous, enthusiastic, confident, dynamic and quick-witted.

Demerit: Selfish, quick-tempered, impulsive, impatient, foolhardy and daredevil.

Taurus

Merit: Patient, reliable, warmhearted, loving, persistent, determined, placid and security loving.

Demerit: Jealous, possessive, resentful, inflexible, self-indulgent and greedy.

Gemini

Merit: Adaptable, versatile, communicative, witty, intellectual, eloquent, youthful and lively.

Demerit: Nervous, tense, superficial, inconsistent, cunning and inquisitive.

Cancer

Merit: Emotional, loving, intuitive, imaginative, shrewd, cautious, protective and sympathetic.

Demerit: Changeable, moody, overemotional, touchy, clinging and unable to let go.

Leo

Merit: Generous, warmhearted, creative, enthusiastic, broad-minded, expansive, faithful and loving.

Demerit: Pompous, patronizing, bossy, interfering, dogmatic and intolerant.

Virgo

Merit: Modest, shy, meticulous, reliable, practical, diligent, intelligent and analytical.

Demerit: Fussy, a worrier, overcritical, harsh, perfectionist and conservative.

Libra

Merit: Diplomatic, urbane, romantic, charming, easygoing, sociable, idealistic and peaceable.

Demerit: Indecisive, changeable, gullible, easily influenced, flirtatious and self-indulgent.

Scorpio

Merit: Determined, forceful, emotional, intuitive, powerful, passionate, exciting and magnetic.

Demerit: Jealous, resentful, compulsive, obsessive, secretive and obstinate.