History of Ralph's Rabbit Ranch

History of Ralph's Rabbit Ranch

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Do Rabbit’s Feet Really Bring Good Luck?



Interesting question so let’s start at the beginning to answer this question correctly. 

History tells us the ancient Chinese believed the human foot was very important because they saw every organ in the human body had a pathway or a what they call a “meridian’ to the foot. Consequently individuals who practice alternative medicine today still believe our feet provide access to all of our body’s internal organs – just think acupuncture. 

Scientists estimate there are approximately 7000 nerve endings in every human’s foot - so many nerve endings, in fact, that main stream doctors often recommend their patients walk barefoot whenever possible when they are on grass or in sand just to help stimulate their nervous system and generate better health throughout the body.

Now with all that said are rabbit’s feet really lucky? As the owner of a large Rabbit Ranch we see thousands of rabbit feet each year and to tell you the truth I am not sure if they bring good luck or not. In fact, most “expert’s" I know and have talked to can’t agree if they do or not. 


For many the luck of a rabbit's foot is just an old wives tale or  superstition that should be ignored.  However, the reality is that the rabbit's foot is the most common good-luck charm found around the world. A far distant second would be the shamrock (a 4 leaf clover) which is then followed by soft piece of bark from a eucalyptus tree coming in third.

The origin of the rabbit's foot providing good luck goes back to around 6 BC; though there is no connection between the luck a rabbit’s foot with any scriptural references many European Christians associate the rabbit’s foot with the goddess Eastre the goddess of fertility.   (Coincidentally, Eastre is the goddess many associate with Easter today). 

True believers say you can only get the benefits of good luck from a rabbits foot if you carry it in your right front pocket or hang it from your garment on the right side. Others say you will get good luck if you keep it secure in the glove box of your car while you travel.  Still others say it should be tucked away in a purse or handbag and never hang from the purse strap or on a key chain.

Here is a good fun experiment I encourage you to try.  The best part is it’s easy. The next time you watch an awards program on TV like the Oscars - the Emmy’s - the Golden Globe Awards - the Grammy Awards etc. quietly count the number of actors, actresses, directors, producers, songwriters, artists etc. who are holding a rabbit's foot in their hand during the evening. Pay attention to watch how they gently rub their rabbi's foot as the list of nominations are called out. 

It’s amazing how many celebrities who held a rabbit’s foot at an awards night actually won an award: Earl Flynn, Meryl Streep, Henry Fonda, Loretta Young, William Holden, Betty Davis, Burt Lancaster, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone, Robert De Niro, Gina Davis, Al Pacino, Kate Winslow, Michael Douglas, Ben Affleck, Spencer Tracy, Sylvester Stalone, Humphrey Bogart, Kathryn Hepburn, Tom Hanks, George Lucas and Steven Spielberg just to name a few you might know? Did they deserve the awards they won? You bet! Did the rabbit’s foot help? I really don’t know.

Now if you are not in to watching award shows here’s another exercise you can easily try. Observe the number of NFL, NBA, MLB and college coaches you see holding rabbit’s feet during title games or super bowl events,  Heck you can even see NASCAR pit crews and PGA caddies holding rabbits feet.

Personally, I was amazed to learn that Michele Obama clutched a rabbit’s foot during both of her husband's (President Obama’s) Presidential debates. Was that just a coincidence? Perhaps. It could be! I just don’t know.

Finally look at the old hand painted portraits of Christopher Columbus, Admiral Byrd, Captain Cook and even Captain Morgan (that’s right the Caribbean pirate who after he retired from high seas began to distill spiced rum in Jamaica).  Look closely at all their belts, sashes and straps boots - look for the small rabbit’s foot dangling? Did they carry or wear them for luck?  I don't know.

All I conclude is people from all walks of life from around the world think rabbit’s feet are lucky.  I encourage you to decide for yourself.  For me it was a no brainer.  I try to keep a rabbit's foot with me where ever I go and people always comment I am a pretty lucky guy.   
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