Last Thursday February 3rd has been a big holidays here in Korea. In accordance with the local Lunar Calendar, it was the first day of the New Year—the Year of Rabbit.
The traditional Oriental Calendar—the one used in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam—does not name the years successively from the birth of Christ, but in accordance with a zodiac cycle, of Chinese origin, of 12 Earthly Branches named after an animal—rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pig.
In Korea, the rabbit holds special meanings in terms of time and space. It comes 4th among 12 zodiac animals and represents the second month in the Lunar Calendar as well as myosi (며시), the 4th division in the 24-hour clock, i.e., from 5 to 7 am. It is also a protector of the eastern direction, in addition of symbolizing the Moon. The age-old tale of the rabbit pounding the elixir of life in a large mortar beneath a laurel tree on the Moon dates as far back as the 3rd century BC in the Qin Dynasty (秦朝, 221-207 BC) of China. Many relics from the period include artworks and figurines featuring the rabbit.
The traditional Oriental Calendar—the one used in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam—does not name the years successively from the birth of Christ, but in accordance with a zodiac cycle, of Chinese origin, of 12 Earthly Branches named after an animal—rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, chicken, dog and pig.
In Korea, the rabbit holds special meanings in terms of time and space. It comes 4th among 12 zodiac animals and represents the second month in the Lunar Calendar as well as myosi (며시), the 4th division in the 24-hour clock, i.e., from 5 to 7 am. It is also a protector of the eastern direction, in addition of symbolizing the Moon. The age-old tale of the rabbit pounding the elixir of life in a large mortar beneath a laurel tree on the Moon dates as far back as the 3rd century BC in the Qin Dynasty (秦朝, 221-207 BC) of China. Many relics from the period include artworks and figurines featuring the rabbit.
Relic featuring a rabbit on the MoonThe iconic of the Moon rabbit can be found in ancient Korea as well. As much as rabbits are known for giving birth to numerous offspring, many folk paintings from the Choson Dynasty (大朝鮮國, 대조선국, 1392-1910) feature a pair of rabbits symbolizing intimate and harmonious relationships. A Moon and/or laurel tree can often be found in the background. Even today, a long-time favourite ice cream treat is Chalttok Ice, featuring rabbits pasting rice cakes on the Moon. But the rabbit’s association with the Moon, symbolizing um (陰, 움, yin in Chinese), is not completely positive. Some old customs advise against inviting visitors into the house or using wooden plates and bowls on sangmyoil (상며일) the first Rabbit Day of the Lunar Rabbit Year. Women were also forbidden from leaving the house and the practice continues to this day in some parts of Kyonggi Province (京畿道, 경기도, Kyonggi-do), the area around Seoul.
Rabbits play a major role in Korean parables, where they are often portrayed as witty animals who manage to escape life or death situations. One well-known folktale is about a clever rabbit that saves his own life after he is captured by the King of the Sea. According to the tale, the king, who is sick, believes that a rabbit’s liver will cure him and summons a water tortoise to bring a rabbit to him to cure his disease. The turtle tricks the rabbit into going under the sea, but when the rabbit figures out why he is there, he tricks the tortoise into letting her go by telling the king that he does not normally carry his liver around with him and has to go back up to the surface to get it.
The rabbit is carried to the underwater kingdom
(Folk painting)
(Folk painting)
There is another tale in Samguk Sagi (三國史記, 삼국사기, History of Three Kingdoms), written in 1145 by the court historian Kim Pu-sik (金富軾, 김부식, 1075-1151), that describes how Silla Dynasty (新羅, 신라, 57 BC-935 AD) Prince Kim Chun-chu (金春秋, 김춘추, 602-661) saved his life using similar tactics. According to the story, when Kim was taken captive by the other Korean Kingdom of Koguryo (高句麗, 고구려, 37 BC-668 AD) he told the king that he could persuade the King of Silla to give Koguryo some land but would need to go back to his country to negotiate the deal. It was, of course, a trick that enabled Kim to escape.
These stories have been passed down through songs such as Tokki Taryong (토끼타령, The Rabbit Song), the pansori (판소리) song Sugungga (水宮歌, 수궁가) and through novels such as Pyoljubujon (별주부정).
The rabbit as the symbol of new beginnings is similar to the Sun. Rabbit figurines with this symbol are often shown facing eastward, as if greeting a new day while the Sun rises. The rabbit, shown through the folktales of the clever animal who escaped from the King of the Sea, symbolise primarily writing supplies, including inkwells and inkstones. There are also incense burners and white porcelain dishes decorated with rabbits.
In modern times this furry, long-eared and nimbly athletic, rabbit has long been a favourite pet and subject of cartoons. In the Korean modern fantasy this cute creature has been characterized as being rather frail yet clever, as well as a symbol of abundance for giving birth to dozens of offspring at a time. Hence, the Year of the Rabbit is expected to be a fruitful one and as we Italians say, “The hope is the last to dead!”
Giorgio Olivotto
Seoul, Korea
February 6, 2011
Seoul, Korea
February 6, 2011
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