6 famous rabbit icons around the world

Rabbits! These long-eared creatures continue to be cultural icons. Because 2023 is the Year of the Rabbit, let's kick off the year with a look at famous bunnies!

White Rabbit candy

This year marks the 80th anniversary of this sweet. Wrapped in edible rice paper, the chewy milk candy holds a special place in our hearts.

In 1943, a company in Shanghai launched "ABC Mickey Mouse candy", featuring Mickey Mouse on the wrapper. But soon the brand was changed to show a white rabbit instead, symbolising longevity. Today White Rabbit candy is a favourite among the Chinese diaspora.

The Easter bunny

In the US, the Easter bunny is synonymous with spring. Although there is no mention of the Easter bunny in the Bible, this character is popular among children who look for treats hidden by the bunny on Easter Sunday. Like Santa Claus, children may visit the Easter bunny to take pictures.

Bugs Bunny

"What's up, Doc?" – many people know these famous words from Bugs Bunny. Bugs is famous for his defiant character.

He first appeared in the cartoon A Wild Hare and starred in more than 160 cartoons from 1940 to 1964. His quick wit left an impression on many viewers. Bugs has his own star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

The White Rabbit

Alice in Wonderland was written by Lewis Carroll in 1865 and made into many movies, the most famous being the 1951 Disney animated film. In the story, Alice follows a White Rabbit down his rabbit hole, landing in Wonderland.

The White Rabbit symbolises curiosity and sparks Alice's quest for knowledge as she dives into this mysterious world. This story gave us the phrase "down the rabbit hole", which means to explore something deeply.

Peter Rabbit

Peter Rabbit first appeared in 1902 in The Tale of Peter Rabbit, written by Beatrix Potter. Peter is an adventurous, but often naughty, young rabbit who wears a blue jacket with brass buttons. He can't help getting into trouble in a human's vegetable garden.

The book has been translated into 36 languages, making it one of the best-selling books in history. Many people see him as a friend you would want to hang out with, however mischievous he is.

Miffy

Created by artist Dick Bruna in 1955, the first Miffy book had primary colours like red, yellow and blue. It was this style that made the rabbit so easy to recognise. Miffy is huge in Japan, where many children grew up seeing her in picture books. The artist, also born in the Year of the Rabbit, created the character while telling his son a bedtime story.

Fun facts

Rabbits live in family groups and eat vegetables. In the wild, they live in burrows that they dig themselves. They thump the ground with their back feet to warn other rabbits of danger.

Quick Questions

1. How many books are mentioned in the article?
2. Which word in the article means "long life"?
3. Can you name any other famous rabbits?