In Mandarin Chinese, 兔 (Pinyin: tù 🔊) is a word for “rabbit” or “hare”. The Rabbit is one of the twelve-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac and is associated with the earthly branch 卯.
In Chinese folklore, 月兔 (yuètù), “moon rabbit”, is a creature that lives on the Moon, 月 (yuè). According to Wikipedia,
it is often portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang’e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her.
So it should come as no surprise that another, now obsolete, meaning of 兔 is “moon”. 兔 also has a different pronunciation (chān), corresponding to a different (also obsolete) meaning, “planet Mercury”.
兔 evolved from a pictogram of a rabbit-like animal.
More photos related to moon, rabbits, zodiac and sea glass @ Shutterstock.
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