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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Interesting Animal Triva

In 1957 little was known regarding the impact of space travel on a living creature.  Therefore as part of its space exploration testing program the Russians - the formerly known as the USSR sent the first animal up into space.

No it wasn't a rabbit as many had thought instead it was a dog.  A stray dog that was found on the streets of Moscow.  The dog was named Laika which in Russian means little barker.

Where the Heck Did Those Darn Easter Bunnies Come From?

Just in case you are wondering Germany is considered the birthplace of the concept of Easter Bunny.  The very first (edible) Easter Bunnies were made in Germany during the early 1800's. 

They were initially baked pastry bunnies that came with a few gummy candies shaped like eggs (which by the way is where we get the idea of jelly beans from). Parents were encourage to place these edible rabbit treats in straw nests and hide them in secluded areas throughout the house and outside in the garden - weather permitting - for their children to find. 

Now even more interesting is the fact that in ancient Egypt, the rabbit was recognized as a symbol of fertility and renewal. This Egyptian belief of the rabbit quickly spread to the Greeks and then later to the Romans who ultimately shared the idea of the rabbit as the symbol of life throughout their empire and with the rest of Europe.

Surprisingly, about the same time, the Celts and early nomadic hunters of northern Europe began to celebrate their own very special festival – the festival of Eastre.  Eastre {a pagan} goddess associated with the beginning of springtime. Eastre’s symbol just so happened to be the rabbit - the most fertile animal known to man and symbol of constant new life.

Now when Europeans emigrated to Australia they quickly found there were no rabbits on their new continent and immediately had them brought over from Europe to raise - rabbits would ensure a healthy and steady supply of fresh meat during the harsh Australian winters.

The rabbits brought into Australia did their rabbit duty and began to producing new rabbits - to many rabbits. So many in fact that they became a significant problem for the Australian ranchers and farmers. So the Australian people with the approval of the government began a systematic program to eradicate the large herds of wild rabbits roaming the Australian outback.

Unfortunately having the rabbit as the symbol of the Easter celebration was not a good idea for may Australians - and who felt bad about all the rabbit killing taking place.  So the Australian people created a new symbol for Easter - the Bilby.  The Bilby is an endangered Australian animal that looks similar to a rabbit it. 

Therefore in today in Australia you will find plenty of chocolate Easter Bilby candies and all kinds of Easter Bilby cards – but no Chocolate Easter Bunnies no mention of the Easter Bunny!

Rabbits - Pesky Critters or Valuable Resources

Today, rabbits are entrenched throughout the United States primarily in the southern and central areas of our country, with scattered populations sometimes seen in our northern deserts.

Although the rabbit can be a notorious pest for some home owners - we must remember that rabbits proved useful to many American citizens especially during the depressions of the 1890's and the 1930's, as well as during periods of American conflicts such as the Civil War,  WWI and WWII. 

Trapping rabbits helped farmers and cattlemen by providing them something to eat as well as earn an extra income by selling their meat and fur.  In some cases selling rabbits became a way for many earlier farmers to help pay off their farming debts. 

Rabbits meat was fed to working dogs out in the great west and often boiled then diced only to be fed to poultry many farmers and ranchers had. 

Later, with the introduction of refrigeration frozen rabbit carcases were exported and traded internationally. Rabbit pelts were used for years in the fur trade and are still used as a primary source of material in the felt hat industry. 

Kids and Animals - Sometimes its funny

Clancy brought a magazine into work today which had this really neat article.  It highlighted how kids understand and describe animals that they find under the sea. 

Below are is a brief summary of some of their thoughts.  Hope you enjoy - I found it amusing.

       1. An Octopus is an animal that lives under
           the sea and has eight testicles.

     2.  Sharks are ugly and mean and have big
          teeth just like Emily Harris

     3.Some animals in the sea are dangers. 
        Electric eels give shocks and they live in
        underwater caves where they plug
        themselves in to recharge. 

       4.  Dolphins are mammals that breath
            through a special ass hole on the top of
            their head.

           5.  Oyster have little balls and they are called
            'pearls' 

Good Costume Idea or Bad?

Please share your thoughts.  Is this a good rabbit costume or a bad idea? Halloween is almost here and we plan to take a few rabbits out Trick & Treating.

Win A Lucky Rabbits Foot

Here is your chance to win a lucky rabbits foot.

If you know of a restaurant, bistro or cafe that has rabbit on the menu let us know ans we will send you an 'Official Ralph's Rabbit Ranch Lucky Rabbit's foot. 

Just send us:

1) The name of the establishment

2)  The city in which it is located

3)  The state that it is located

Sorry - Federal law prevents us from sending winning rabbits feet to overseas destinations. 


*** Offer expires November 15th, 2014

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