Lepus
- Thread starter agni
- Start date
highmystica
Jedi Master
I only know that it was supposedly one of the creatures hunted by orion ... so it might be helpful to look for mytholgy regarding orion instead ...
M
M. Howard
Guest
Hi,
I heard once that the Easter Bunny comes from the legend of Lepus.
Also, that it was placed in the heavens to be the prey of Orion (the hunter).
Here's some general info. re Lepus, a tiny constellation found beneath Orion's foot and represented by the star Rigel:
Several descriptions of this constellation show it as a hare. The hare often symbolized the moon, a gently shining, traditionally feminine divinity often representative of fertility. The hare, according to Herodotus, could conceive while still pregnant. With the hare as the moon and the eagle, Aquila, representing the sun, it is interesting to note that these two constellations rise with the setting of the other.
Egypt: known as al-Nihal, the four Camels, are about to drink from the river, Eridanus, that flows from Rigel. Older legends consider the four stars of the grouping to be a boat that is ridden by Osiris on his voyage to the stars.
Greece: placed in the stars in honor of the plague of hares brought upon the people of the island of Leros. After importing a pregnant hare to the island to bring sport and food, the animals began breeding beyond control and soon led to an infestation never before seen. Following the extermination of the hare from the island, the gods placed the hare in the stars as a reminder to man. Lepus occasionally represents the favored animal of the hunter Orion.
India: Buddha, before reaching enlightenment and in his incarnation as Sakyanumi the hare, met with Indra. Indra was disguised as a beggar when he met Buddha and his companions, a monkey and a fox. Putting the three to a test, Indra asked for something to eat. The hare found nothing appropriate, built a fire and threw himself into the flames to offer as food to the beggar. In thanks for his sacrifice and hospitality, Indra placed the hare in the heavens.
Hope this helps.
I heard once that the Easter Bunny comes from the legend of Lepus.
Also, that it was placed in the heavens to be the prey of Orion (the hunter).
Here's some general info. re Lepus, a tiny constellation found beneath Orion's foot and represented by the star Rigel:
Several descriptions of this constellation show it as a hare. The hare often symbolized the moon, a gently shining, traditionally feminine divinity often representative of fertility. The hare, according to Herodotus, could conceive while still pregnant. With the hare as the moon and the eagle, Aquila, representing the sun, it is interesting to note that these two constellations rise with the setting of the other.
Egypt: known as al-Nihal, the four Camels, are about to drink from the river, Eridanus, that flows from Rigel. Older legends consider the four stars of the grouping to be a boat that is ridden by Osiris on his voyage to the stars.
Greece: placed in the stars in honor of the plague of hares brought upon the people of the island of Leros. After importing a pregnant hare to the island to bring sport and food, the animals began breeding beyond control and soon led to an infestation never before seen. Following the extermination of the hare from the island, the gods placed the hare in the stars as a reminder to man. Lepus occasionally represents the favored animal of the hunter Orion.
India: Buddha, before reaching enlightenment and in his incarnation as Sakyanumi the hare, met with Indra. Indra was disguised as a beggar when he met Buddha and his companions, a monkey and a fox. Putting the three to a test, Indra asked for something to eat. The hare found nothing appropriate, built a fire and threw himself into the flames to offer as food to the beggar. In thanks for his sacrifice and hospitality, Indra placed the hare in the heavens.
Hope this helps.
