In chinese culture, a day is divided in twelve pieces and represented by twelve animals. The duration between 5:00am and 7:00am is named "Mao". At this time, the sun hasn't shown its face yet while the moon's brilliance hasn't receded yet. Jade rabbit is another name of the moon, so it is also called as "Mao Rabbit".

The twelve animals also name years circularly. This year is turned to be "Rabbit Year".

WuHan Mesuem collects a set of terracotta animals in Sui Dynasty(581-618)

National Museum collects a bronze mirror of Sui Dynasty(581-618) and a set of terracotta animals in Tang Dynasty(618-907)

Beijing Palace Museum collects a bronze mirror of Sui Dynasty(581-618)

This rabbit holds a fan in right hand and some leaves in right hand, like an ancient scholar.
"WuGang cuts laurel" is chinese myth. WuGang is a celestial who did wrong thing and is punished to go to palace on the moon to cut a laurel which is always healed. The laurel is never hurted and only drops one leaf from the moon to the earth in every Aug 16. This leaf can bring infinite treasures to the finder. This Jade rabbit holds such leaves which means wish of endless wealth.

The jade animals are soooo slippery and cute!

“Flower and bird painting" is one important type of chinese traditional painting art. It may represent all of plants and animals.

Chinese literati express their perceptions and emotions by "Meaningful Painting". Only with water and ink, the lines, concentration, and blank generate the topic of painting.

Colors are filled in this ink painting, because I believe ancient would hope descendants living colorful lives.

“淋婴之子” provides the standard picture of this black jade rabbit. Thanks!

In chinese myth, the rabbit is generally with rabbit head and person body and holding a jade pestle to make elixir for Western Mother Queen in the palace on the moon. This means the wish of long life.

From gate of 2000+ years ago to earring of 400+ years ago, this little rabbit is always working hardly.

Beijing Palace Museum collects a portrait brick in Han Dynasty(25-220)

Beijing Palace Museum collects a bronze mirror of Han Dynasty(25-220)

Beijing Palace Museum collects a bronze mirror of Tang Dynasty(618-907)

Beijing Palace Museum collects a bronze mirror of Tang Dynasty(618-907)

In chinese culture, "Four Nobles" are plum blossom, orchid, bamboo, and chrysanthemum. They mean exalted and respectable characters which traditional scholars aspire.

Beijing Palace Museum collects picture of plum blossom(1097-1171) in Song Dynasty

Beijing Palace Museum collects picture of butterflies and chrysanthemum in Song Dynasty(1127-1279)

"Academy Painting" is one type of chinese traditional painting art. It came from requirements of official painting academies or royal courts. This genre focuses realism and the paintings express delicate details.

Beijing Palace Museum collects picture of Song Dynasty(1082-1135)

Beijing Palace Museum collects picture of Qing Dynasty(1766)

The rabbit holds LingZhi in mouth and looks back to gaze the moon. This means the wish of lucky and long life.

Not only scholars like plants, all chinese enjoy beautiful flowers from ancient times to the present. Peony means the wish of riches and honours for both the family and the country.