On Saturday, May 5, 2012, I watched the moon rise over the eastern horizon. It was an awesome sight, a full moon called the “Super Moon”. Since it was 15,000 miles closer to earth than usual, it appeared brighter and larger than most full moons.
In folklore, there are stories about a rabbit that lives on the moon. This is based on paredolia that the markings on the moon look like a rabbit. If you look closely, you can see her. How she got there is a subject of much folklore, from many different cultures.
In a Buddhist tale a monkey, an otter, a jackal, and a rabbit resolved to practice charity on the night of a full moon. An old man came along, begging for food. The monkey gathered fruits, the otter brought fish, and the jackal stole a lizard and a pot of milk curd for the hungry man. The rabbit who knew only how to gather grass, offered her body as sustenance. Of course, that old man was a holy spirit, who touched by the rabbit’s generosity, drew her likeness on the moon for all to see throughout eternity.
An Aztec legend tells when Quetzalcoatl was living as a man on Earth; he grew hungry and tired while on a journey. He had no food or water to nourish him. A rabbit happened upon the god, and offered herself as food to save his life. In gratitude Quetzalcoatl elevated her to the moon for her image to be in light for all people and for all times.
Wonderful stories, and who can resist telling them as a bright and shining moon rises over the horizon. Folktales, legends, and myths make our lives so rich and colorful. That rabbit on the moon, honored for being so giving to mankind.
And what a rich word, paredolia. I have never heard it before, and think probably you haven’t either. It refers to seeing images in things we have around us. Rabbits on the moon, faces in clouds. And imagination and story in our lives.
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