page_title: Moon rabbit
hierarchical_section_title: Moon rabbit
caption_attribution_description: Based on the public domain moon image from image:Luna_nearside.jpg and information on the web: [1] The rabbit stands by either a cooking pot or a mochi mortar.
context_page_description: The moon rabbit or moon hare is a mythical figure who lives on the Moon in Far Eastern folklore, based on pareidolia interpretations that identify the dark markings on the near side of the Moon as a rabbit or hare. The folklore originated in China and then spread to other Asian cultures. In East Asian folklore, the rabbit is seen as pounding with a mortar and pestle, but the contents of the mortar differ among Chinese, Japanese and Korean folklore. In Chinese folklore, the rabbit often is portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang'e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her; but in Japanese and Korean versions, the rabbit is pounding the ingredients for mochi or other some other type of rice cakes. In some Chinese versions, the rabbit pounds medicine for the mortals. Unrelated moon folklore arising among native cultures of the Americas, also have rabbit themes and characters.
context_section_description: The moon rabbit or moon hare is a mythical figure who lives on the Moon in Far Eastern folklore, based on pareidolia interpretations that identify the dark markings on the near side of the Moon as a rabbit or hare.  The folklore originated in China and then spread to other Asian cultures.  In East Asian folklore, the rabbit is seen as pounding with a mortar and pestle, but the contents of the mortar differ among Chinese, Japanese and Korean folklore.  In Chinese folklore, the rabbit often is portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang'e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her; but in Japanese and Korean versions, the rabbit is pounding the ingredients for mochi or other some other type of rice cakes.  In some Chinese versions, the rabbit pounds medicine for the mortals.  Unrelated moon folklore arising among native cultures of the Americas, also have rabbit themes and characters.
caption: The image of a rabbit and mortar delineated on the Moon's surface
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