Rabbits are cute fuzzy creatures that seem to have good luck attached to them. For over 2,000 years, rabbits have been a symbol of fortune. This charm dates back to 600 B.C. when the Celtics used rabbits as a good luck charm. And the ancient Aztecs had a pantheon featuring four hundred rabbit gods renowned for hosting lively celebrations and including gods of drunkenness. These traditions have been changed and adapted throughout the centuries and to this day, some people carry around a rabbit’s foot as a lucky token. However, rabbits do not only represent luck but fertility and life, and in some religious symbols, rabbits are a sign of renewal and spring. But the saying rabbit rabbit has its own origin and meaning.
This long-held tradition of saying rabbit rabbit on the first day of each month has several twists. Some individuals repeat the word “rabbit” three times, while others opt for the phrase “white rabbit.” Uttering these words the first day of the month supposedly helps luck come your way. But these must be the first words that come out of your mouth on the day.
The origin of this tradition is unclear. However, the earliest documented mention of saying “rabbit rabbit” is found in a 1909 edition of the British journal Notes and Queries, where a parent noted that certain children uttered the word “rabbits” on the first day of each month for good luck. After this occurrence, the reference to this superstition only showed up occasionally until 1935. The British Nottingham Evening Post reported some gossip saying that “Mr. Roosevelt, the President of the United States, has confessed to a friend that he says ‘Rabbits’ on the first of every month – and, what is more, he would not think of omitting the utterance on any account.’” The belief also made an appearance in Trixie Belden’s “The Mystery of the Emeralds,” a book from the children’s mystery series published in 1962, as well as on Nickelodeon in the 1990s.
There are many other superstitions like rabbit rabbit that people have participated in for centuries. “Knocking on wood” is very familiar to us and is widespread. Like the rabbit rabbit origin, this superstition was used in various cultures. Some suggest that it started in Indo-European or Celtic land. Celts believed that good and bad spirits reside in trees. By knocking on the wood, these spirits could be called upon for protection or to chase away enemies. And some people, especially Christians, linked this superstition to the magical power of the cross.
Another superstitious tradition is Friday the 13th. There are many numbers that are considered lucky or have significance in various cultures and religions such as the numbers seven and twelve. However, the number thirteen is unlucky because of the Last Supper. Judas Iscariot, the betrayer, was the 13th member of the dinner party that led to Christ’s crucifixion. Because of this, on Friday the 13th in October 1307, King Philip IV of France detained and executed numerous members of the Templar Knights. But nowadays, we do not go to that extreme. We might just watch scary movies or make sure that we don’t plan an important event on that day.
These old-age traditions, such as saying “rabbit rabbit,” “knock on wood” and "Friday the 13th" have various interpretations and significance for each person. These superstitions should be taken lightheartedly, just like crossing your fingers and finding a four-leaf clover. We just need to make sure that we do not take it to extremes, as seen in the cautionary tales of King Philip IV and the Templar Knights.
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