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Chinese zodiac · Chinese zodiac 4

Rabbit

Rabbit · 兔 tù

The Rabbit (兔 tù), sign 4 of the Chinese zodiac: earthly branch Mao 卯, fixed element wood, yin.

The Rabbit is linked with the moon, where the Jade Rabbit pounds the elixir of immortality. The sign is associated with gentleness, elegance and caution. In Vietnam the Cat takes its place.

In Chinese astrology the year animal is only one part of a horoscope: the element of the year's heavenly stem, the month, day and hour of birth (the Four Pillars) and their interactions are read together. The traditional characterisations of each animal belong to folk belief and popular almanacs rather than to a single authoritative text.

Personality

gentle · elegant · cautious · kind · diplomatic · artistic · sensitive

In Chinese popular astrology the Rabbit is described as gentle, elegant and cautious, a lover of peace, beauty and good manners. Linked with the earthly branch Mao, yin and the element wood, it is associated with the moon, where in Chinese legend the Jade Rabbit pounds the elixir of immortality, and in Vietnam its place is taken by the Cat.

Almanac portraits credit Rabbit-born people with kindness, tact, refined taste and a talent for diplomacy, for smoothing quarrels and making others feel at ease. They are said to be prudent with risks and fortunate in avoiding trouble. The weaknesses traditionally named are timidity, a tendency to avoid conflict at any cost, indecision and a sensitivity that can turn into withdrawal when life becomes harsh.

In love the Rabbit is portrayed as tender, considerate and devoted to a calm and comfortable home; the traditional triad places it in harmony with the Goat and the Pig. At work it is linked with the arts, design, diplomacy, counselling, scholarship and administration, any setting where judgement and grace count for more than force. Chinese astrologers note that the element of the birth year and the full Four Pillars shape how strongly these qualities appear in a particular person.

Sources and further reading