Watercolor, July 2008
In East Asian Folklore there isn't a man in the moon, but a rabbit.
In the traditional story of the Moon Festival (which is in the fall) In this legend, three fairy sages transformed themselves into pitiful old men and begged for something to eat from a fox, a monkey and a rabbit. The fox and the monkey both had food to give to the old men, but the rabbit, empty-handed, offered his own flesh instead, jumping into a blazing fire to cook himself. The sages were so touched by the rabbit's sacrifice that they let him live in the Moon Palace where he became the "Jade Rabbit."
From chinesefortunecalendar.com
In some stories I've read the Moon Rabbit is busy making a special elixir for the Moon Goddess, in others he is making moon cakes.
Since it isn't time for the Fall Moon Festival I imagined Moon Rabbit could take a break and go for a walk cloaked in moonbeams.
I think I'll be revisiting this folk tale, I have a special place in my heart for bunnies and the moon.
11 comments:
Wow, I love this rabbit painting!
OHHHH I'm all teary eyed that is so touching..Of coarse I still believe in Santa too...
So nice to meet a fellow Florida artist! Thanks for stopping by my blog. I love the Rabbit and Moon painting. It's a great subject for a whole series of paintings! Love, Wyanne
You are so talented! Did you ever think of illustrating children's books?
Very beautiful. And I love that you share the folklore behind the painting.
The Moon Blossom Rabbit is a great piece (as are ALL of your works). Hope you and the family are well and having a good summer. I'm ready for school to start so I can concentrate again!
Deanna
Thank you guys :) and yes Kristina I'm actually working on a book with a friend now. :)
Kaslkaos *nods* oh I'm glad you like the story :) thats what usually inspires my paintings even though they might not turn out the way I originally picture them.
I love your paitnings! :) They have a "magical" feel to them :)
I Love your rabbit painting!...
You have a Magical blog here.I'll add you to my blogroll.
Have a great day :)
Karen
Hmm. I've never been to blogspot and it took me a few tries to figure out where the comment box was!
That's a lovely illustration, Cat. I read a lot about the hare in moon in a book about Jungian interpretation of the various moon gods and goddesses. It was very interesting. Your moon rabbit is so lovely. I love the colours and the gentle sweep of the strokes.
Ooops. Since I'm not registered here it said "Linda". I don't know why. The post directly above was from Mechtild.
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