2006 Year of the Rabbit

Author: Hu Zuqing
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2005-09-01
Features: "Rabbit" is a beautiful character in Chinese, as it is not only one of the zodiac signs but also closely linked to human life and people's hopes for the good. Few characters are derived from "rabbit," but they are all distinctive. For example, "yi" is a pictogram. Rabbits running fast are called "yi." Works like Shuowen Jiezi believe that the character "yi" represents rabbits being "good at escaping." This indicates that rabbits are truly worthy of being long-distance running champions. Thus, there are phrases like "bencyi" (gallop), "taoyi" (escape), "yishi" (loss), "youyi" (wander), "yinyi" (retire), "anyi" (comfortable), "yuenwen" (anecdote), and "chaoyi" (superior).
The character "yuan" is a symbol for the kind rabbit "voicing grievances." Shuowen Jiezi explains, "yuan, to be wronged." It means that rabbits, trapped under nets or fences, cannot escape or stretch, only submitting, which extends to being wronged. Thus, there are phrases like "yuwang" (wronged), "bu bai zhī yuan" (unjust accusation), and "ming yuan" (voice grievances). Since rabbits are at the top of those wronged, it shows how lovable rabbits are and deserve people's sympathy.
"Rabbit" and "tu" are homophonic. "Tu" refers to the parasitic vine plant "tuosi," also known as "tuosi zi" (tuosizi), "nüluo," or written as "tusi." Adding the "earth" radical to "rabbit" forms "kun," referring to the part of a bridge that is close to the ground at both ends, outside the bridge. "Rabbit" corresponds to "mao" in the twelve Earthly Branches. Wang Chong's Lunheng in the Han Dynasty said, "Mao, the rabbit." Together, they form our zodiac sign, "Mao Rabbit." The original character of "mao" depicts the image of grass and trees breaking through the soil and sprouting.
"Willow" embodies the idea of "mao belonging to wood," hence phrases like "spring breeze and willows." "Mao" is a type of aquatic grass. All the above characters are directly or indirectly related to "rabbit," derived from it, or aligned with the rabbit's temperament.