Undertanding Rabbit: Hopping Your Way to Success this 2011

The Chinese immigrants or the Filipino-Chinese community in the Philippines and the rest of citizens, celebrated the Year of Metal Rabbit  (February 2, 2011). Yes, we are all enamored and massively influenced by the culture and traditions that came from these settlers who consitute almost 60 per cent of the populace.

Cultural and fashion shows, fireworks, dragon dance, round fruits, sticky rice delicacies, lucky charms and of course, live rabbits dominate the Chinese New Year celebration . Major problems that dominated between the two countries were momentarily forgotten and longtime friendship were revived as the happy celebration hopped in every home of Filipinos who witnessed the event.

I can say that, rabbits are the embodiment of a happy life and gay events that can happen this year. Feng-shui experts have already given their forecasts. They said, it's not superstitions or fortune-telling, the way of feng-shui is a scientific interpretation of the influence this animal will portray.

Rabbits can see us almost 360 degrees, so, it can sense our moves even we're still at a distance. Many interpretations on this animal can lead us from our living room, farms, kitchen and one big celebration.

1. Rabbits as pet - They're so cuddly and cute. Those adjectives can best describe this animal as pet. They're smaller than hare but bigger than rodents or rats. Their lifespan is up to 10 years. So, having them as pets should be coupled with commitment.
2. Rabbits as pest - Kidding aside, rabbits are fond of coupling or sex. My friend used to separate his rabbit-couple due to the frequent demand of the male rabbit especially when the female is in heat. Usually, rabbits can produce four or more liters a year, with four or five babies in each litter. Whew! So, imagine if you let them roam in your farm. Expect of failure and pestilence with these animals, ransacking cornfields and other vegetation.
3. Rabbits as food - People in Southeast Asia will avoid eating it, especialy in China. But in other parts of the world, as in Europe, it is a good source of protein and the best alternative for chicken meat. Try it roasted or stewed! I remember one stevedore at Liverpool, England getting pestered by those brown rabbits interrupting port operation at the container terminal.
4. Rabbit as a cultural symbol - It's most popular in Chinese culture, also in Japanese tradition, but West has it's version of Easter bunny. Asians believe that rabbits live on the moon---associated with the moon goddess, Chang'e. Well, the west popularized cartoon series, like Bugs Bunny and his troops and Roger Rabbit. I love to pass the time watching this cartoon video.
   

They say it is an alternative to chicken meat and has lower cholesterol content. So, while browsing for the rabbit cuisine, I've seen lots of photos with grilled rabbit, stuffed rabbit, stir-fried rabbit, rabbit with apple sauce, and so on and so forth. It's like other meats (beef, pork, lamb) where you can have lots of cooking preparations. It depends on the ingredients available and your knowledge to cook it.

Most of us have basic know-how in cooking. It's not so hard to make the preparation, whether you'll eat it during breakfast (as in rabbit sausage or hammed rabbit), lunch (stewed rabbit, stir-fried or baked) and dinner (grilled, steamed rabbit meat loaf, etc).

I'll not include a copied recipe. It's up for you to make your own version of Rabbit cuisine.

Just don't eat it raw. Please!!!

Being one of the 12 chosen animals to represent the Chinese zodiac and the belief that the first 12 animals to answer the call of Buddha, rabbit is now the animal symbol of 2011.

Rabbit Chinese astrology defines this period as the Year of Metal Rabbit. It covers:

Feb 6, 1951 to Jan 26, 1952
Feb 3, 2011 to Jan 22, 2012

People who are born under the Metal Rabbit value reputation more than fame or money. Luck is with them, so they say. You can trust them with your secrets and are always surrounded with friends.

Same attributes can be found with those who are born under:

WATER RABBIT Astrology (They value relationships more than money or fame.)
Jan 29, 1903 to Feb 15, 1904
Jan 25, 1963 to Feb 12, 1964

WOOD RABBIT Astrology (Quiet but warm people)
Feb 14, 1915 to Feb 2, 1916
Feb 11, 1975 to Jan 30, 1976

FIRE RABBIT Astrology (Polite and brilliant)
Feb 2, 1927 to Jan 22, 1928
Jan 29, 1987 to Feb 16, 1988

EARTH RABBIT Astrology (pursue their goals with complete dedication)
Feb 19, 1939 to Feb 7, 1940
Feb 16, 1999 to Feb 4, 2000

Like all other predictions on people's lives, luck, power and fame will come to us if we will work it out. It will depend on our pursuit to happiness and perfect and contented lives.

I hope this satisfies the queries of those who are curious to know their traits and characteristics that will be dominant this year, especially when they were born under this Chinese zodiac sign.