We're Hoping For A Happy Hoppy Year Of The Rabbit!

Sunday marks the start of the lunar new year, which will be the Year of the Rabbit. So, this week we’re taking a closer look at rabbits in myth and folklore. Plus, how Stikins ® name labels mean you’ll never have to get hopping mad about lost property ever again!

Celebrating The Year Of The Rabbit

2023 is represented by the Water Rabbit. To celebrate, we’re looking at myths and folklore that feature this creature! Amazingly, rabbit tales appear worldwide with many dating back to ancient civilisations.

In Chinese folklore, the zodiac’s order was decided by The Great Race, which finished across a river. The rabbit jumped across stones in the river but they ran out halfway. The rabbit jumped onto a passing log but was too tired to paddle so the dragon blew the log (and rabbit) safely to shore.

Rabbits often symbolise love / fertility or the moon. They appear as companions or messengers to gods also associated with love or the moon. In Greek mythology, rabbits have the “gift of Aphrodite” (fertility). Rabbits also appear as gods or god-like figures themselves in creation stories where they act as benefactors to humankind.

Rabbits tend to feature alongside female figures, like goddesses, warriors, witches, and wise women. They were once claimed to be witches’ familiars or witches in disguise. Mythological rabbit-like creatures also abound. Usually described as rabbits with horns, examples include the Al-Mi’raj (medieval Arabic tales), Jackalope (North American tales), Rasselbock, Raurackl, and Wolpertiner (Germanic folklore).

Rabbits also appear as Trickers; an ancient archetype depicting an extremely intelligent character that uses wit to defeat more powerful opponents. Trickers can be “good” or “bad” but usually play ambiguous roles. Rabbit tricksters include Br’er Rabbit (African) and Nanbozho (First Nation).

In Western traditions, the most famous rabbit is probably the Easter Bunny. The Easter Bunny was originally the Easter Hare of Germanic folklore. The Easter Hare decided if children had been good or bad and rewarded good children with Easter eggs.

For many years, rabbit symbols (or actual rabbit parts) have been used to bring fertility, luck, protection, or energy. This includes the “lucky rabbit’s foot”, which has been present in Europe since c. 600 CE. Another tradition claims that saying “Rabbits” (or “White Rabbits”) three times when you wake up on the first day of the month brings luck for the rest of that month.

Perhaps the most amazing rabbit symbol is one of the oldest, most widespread, and mysterious. The “Three Rabbits” (or Hares) depicts three rabbits chasing each other in a circle. At the centre is a triangle of three rabbit ears – shared by the rabbits in the symbol. It appears at sacred sites belonging to diverse cultures and religions from around the world, including the UK. The oldest known depictions appear in Chinese cave temples from 581-618 CE.  While its original meaning is lost, the symbol has since represented peace and tranquillity, fertility, life-death-rebirth, and the Holy Trinity (among other things).

Don’t Get Hopping Mad About Lost Property – Get Stikins ® Name Labels

Lost property is a big problem for parents and for schools. It takes up precious time and school resources, while parents face the frustrating cost of replacing expensive kit. Worst of all is the fact that lost property is a preventable problem with a simple solution. Name labels make clear who owns what, which allows items to be returned without a trip to lost property.

Plus, with Stikins ® stick on name labels, it’s easier than ever to get your kids’ school kit safely and securely labelled.

We use a completely unique adhesive to make our stick on name labels. It holds each label firmly in place, even after repeat trips through the washing machine (and the school yard). All you have to do is stick each label firmly in place.

Stikins ® labels are available in packs of 30, 60, 90, 120, or 240 name labels. We offer a 10% discount when you order three or more packs. These packs can be identical, all different, or any mix you prefer. If you don’t need three packs, we’re more than happy for friends and families to order together.

We despatch all orders on the same or next working day and use Royal Mail’s first class service for delivery.