22/02/2024
Do you know the legend of the rabbit on the Moon?
The rabbit was a sacred animal for the Mexica. They related it to pulque, nobility, and fertility.
Quetzalcóatl is one of the most important gods of Mesoamerican cultures, he is a mix between a snake and a bird; a feathered serpent.
a story which is part of Nahuatl folklore. The people are an indigenous group from the central/south region of Mexico, and like many indigenous cultures, they have rich oral traditions and myths.
here is a great version of one of my favorite ones.
THE RABBIT IN THE MOON.
Long ago, in the ancient lands of Anáhuac, where legends whispered through the rustling leaves and spirits danced among the stars, the great god Quetzalcoatl descended from the heavens to walk the earth in mortal guise.
Cloaked in the guise of a common man, he roamed the vibrant landscapes, marveling at the beauty that his hands had created.
Amid his journey, he encountered the thriving villages and serene valleys of Mexico, where the people lived in harmony with the natural world.
As he wandered, Quetzalcoatl beheld the wonders of creation, from lush forests to towering peaks, from tranquil lakes to sun-scorched deserts. Yet, in his boundless enthusiasm, he neglected his own needs, driven by an insatiable desire to bless every living being with his divine touch.
One evening, weary from his travels, Quetzalcoatl found solace in a verdant valley,
The night he arrived at the great valley weary from his travels, Quetzalcoatl sat down to admire the landscape.
Next to him, a small gray rabbit who had gone out to dinner went to sit. The small being moved his whiskers through the undergrowth and his enormous eyes reflected the starry sky and a large silver moon.
Quetzalcoatl asked him:
- What are you eating?
– A little grass, there is also for you; if you like.
– Thanks, but I don't eat grass. – The god turned into a man told him.
The god's stomach sounded like thunder falling from the sky and the bunny asked him:
- Then, what are you going to do? Here I have a carrot we can share.
– I thank you, but I couldn't take away any being's food. I think I might die of hunger, tiredness, and thirst.
Quetzalcoatl knew that his mortal body could perish, but his spirit would continue to live and resume his true form, the feathered serpent.
Then the rabbit said to him:
Look, I'm just a little rabbit and you're a young traveler; Eat me, regain your strength, and continue your story. Here I am.
In a gesture of selflessness, the rabbit offered itself as sustenance, understanding the fleeting nature of mortal existence and the eternal spirit that transcends it.
His words touched the heart of the god. He took the bunny in his arms and gave him a trip through the heavens to closely observe the stars that he observed with so much love. In the end, he brought him so close to the moon that he could see his reflection in it.
His surprise was very great when he realized that when he arrived on Earth, his reflection was captured in the moon that he loved so much.
You may just be a little rabbit, but now everyone will forever remember you for your kindness.
is a versión edited by me.
sources:
https://www.mexicodesconocido.com.mx/leyenda-del-conejo-en-la-luna-quetzalcoatl.html
https://www.elsoldezacatecas.com.mx/cultura/cofre-de-leyendasleyenda-del-conejo-en-la-luna-8138145.html
El conejo era un animal sagrado para los mexicas, relacionaban a ese animal con el pulque, la nobleza y la fertilidad