Why Do People Say “Rabbit Rabbit” on the First Day of the Month?

A charming superstition that’s been bringing people good luck for generations

If you’ve ever heard someone say “Rabbit Rabbit!” the moment they wake up on the first day of a new month, you may have wondered what it’s all means. Is it a secret code? A family tradition? Or simply a quirky habit?

As it turns out, it’s one of the oldest and most beloved folk customs still practiced today.

What Does “Rabbit Rabbit” Mean?

According to tradition, saying the words “Rabbit Rabbit” as the very first words you speak on the first day of the month is believed to bring good luck for the weeks ahead.

The key is that these should be the first words out of your mouth. Many believers even set a reminder so they don’t accidentally say something else first!

No one knows exactly when the tradition began, but it has been passed down through families for well over a century.

Where Did the Tradition Come From?

The origins of “Rabbit Rabbit” are a bit of a mystery, but historians have traced printed references to the custom back to the early 1900s in Britain.

One of the earliest well-known mentions appeared in 1909 in the British journal Notes and Queries, where readers discussed the belief that repeating the word “rabbit” on the first day of the month would bring good fortune.

By the 1920s, newspapers in both Britain and the United States were mentioning the custom, suggesting it had already become a widespread folk tradition.

Why Rabbits?

Rabbits have long been associated with luck, abundance, and new beginnings.

Across many cultures, rabbits symbolize:

• Good fortune
• Prosperity
• Fertility
• Renewal
• Quick growth and abundance

These associations likely stem from the rabbit’s remarkable ability to reproduce and thrive, making it a natural symbol of life’s abundance.

Rabbits have also appeared in folklore for centuries—from lucky rabbit’s feet to the Moon Rabbit of Asian legends—reinforcing their reputation as creatures connected with fortune.

Different Ways People Say It

Not everyone follows the tradition exactly the same way.

Some popular variations include:

• Rabbit Rabbit
• White Rabbits
• Rabbits, Rabbits, Rabbits
• White Rabbit

In parts of England, people traditionally say “White Rabbits” three times. Others swear by simply saying “Rabbit Rabbit” once.

Some families even have a backup tradition: if you forget in the morning, say “Tibbar Tibbar” (“rabbit” spelled backward) before going to bed to cancel your bad luck!

Is There Any Truth to It?

Of course, there’s no scientific evidence that saying “Rabbit Rabbit” changes your luck.

But traditions like this serve another purpose. They encourage us to begin each month with a moment of optimism, gratitude, and hope. Whether you believe in lucky rituals or simply enjoy preserving old customs, it’s a fun way to mark a fresh start.

After all, every new month offers a chance to begin again.

Will You Try It?

The next time the calendar flips to a new month, remember to say “Rabbit Rabbit” before speaking any other words. It certainly can’t hurt—and according to generations of tradition, it just might bring a little extra luck your way.

And if you’ve been saying it since childhood, you’re helping keep one of the world’s most delightful folk traditions alive.

---

Have you always said “Rabbit Rabbit” on the first of the month? Tell us who taught you the tradition in the comments—we’d love to hear your family stories! 🐇