On the 1st Of The Month Say “Rabbit Rabbit” for Good luck!
Need good luck? We explain where this quirky tradition and superstition came from.
Saying “Rabbit, rabbit” before any other words on the first day of the month is a quirky little tradition that many people follow for good luck. But where did it come from and what does it mean?
Rabbits And Good Luck
Rabbits are a common symbol of good luck, positivity, fertility, and growth in many cultures—from North America to Europe and Asia. Most prominent in spring, they are associated with renewal and rebirth after winter. Rabbits are typically gentle, peaceful creatures favored as pets, though they may destroy in your garden! Learn how to keep them out.
“Rabbit Rabbit” Origins And Tradition
According to superstition, saying “rabbit rabbit” before anything else on the first day of the month will bring you good luck for 30 days. Saying “bunny bunny” is said to have the same effect, while some people opt for “rabbits” or “white rabbit.”
The origin of the superstition in the United Kingdom may have been inspired by Lewis Carroll’s Alice in Wonderland (1865) in which a young girl is “luckily” guided by a white rabbit through fantastical adventures.
The first written record of the phrase being said for luck was in the English periodical Notes and Queries (March 27, 1909). A parent noted that his children spoke “rabbit rabbit” up the chimney on the first of each month, in the hopes of receiving a present. Over the following decades, the expression was said by many people in hopes of making other wishes come true, bringing financial prosperity, and encouraging general monthlong good luck.
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt claimed to say “rabbits” on the first of each month. He was known to carry a lucky rabbit’s foot during the 1932 presidential election, which he won by a landslide—becoming the first Democrat to win both the electoral college and the popular vote in 80 years.
During World War II, many British fighter pilots opted for even greater luck by using the phrase daily–notably, the Royal Air Force successfully repelled the German Luftwaffe in both the Battle of Britain and the Blitz.
Other notable figures to practice the superstition include Saturday Night Live actress Gilda Radner, who used to say “bunny bunny” for her luck, and British-American journalist Simon Winchester noted in 2006 that he had recited “white rabbits” for 696 consecutive months and counting, ever since 1948, when he was four years old.
Alternative Associations
In The Chinese Zodiac
Rabbits are particularly lucky in the Chinese zodiac, as the fourth symbol in that set of beliefs. Considered one of the most beautiful signs, rabbits also represent longevity, peace, and prosperity. Those who are born under this sign are considered to be skillful, responsible, and quick-minded, as well as gentle and attractive.
Chinese New Year runs from late January through early February, at which time one of twelve animals in the Chinese zodiac is celebrated and revered. Learn more.
In Native American Culture
In many Native American cultures, rabbits are tricksters or represent cleverness and problem solving for their ability to evade predators. For the Ojibwe, for example, Mishaabooz was a great hare form of the god Nanabozho, a trickster who named the plants and animals during the world’s creation. For the Cherokee, the hare was a mischievous, less-than-trustworthy trickster (who lost his tail by playing tricks on a bear), but who often learned from his lessons.
Join The Discussion
Ever hear of this fun tradition? Do you practice it?
Do you know of different variation not listed above?
Let us know in the comments below!
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Melissa Mayntz
Melissa Mayntz is a writer who specializes in birds and birding, though her work spans a wide range—from folklore to healthy living. Her first book, Migration: Exploring the Remarkable Journeys of Birds was published in 2020. Mayntz also writes for National Wildlife Magazine and The Spruce. Find her at MelissaMayntz.com.
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We say White Rabbits, White Rabbits, White Rabbits first thing upon waking up on the first day of each month. Our mom was from Swansea, Wales. We got this from her. We’ve done this daily for many years. I love seeing your post on the first day of each month. It brings back a lot of memories. Thanks.
White Rabbits seems to be a British, Welsh, European preference. We love that it is a special tradition for you!
Where can I buy violets. I can never find them. And people act as if they never heard of them …???
My mother was Jamaican. She taught the saying to me over 60 years ago, as a little phrase, said almost like a poem: “Rabbit, rabbit, come today, and bring me something good.” I thought it was a Jamaican tradition superstition, until I was in my 20s and met someone from Maine who just said “Rabbit, rabbit.” Apparently, it is more common in New England than other parts of the U.S.
I guess I’ll mark my calendar for September 1st. 🐇🐇!
My friend in fifth grade taught me this, but she said “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit”. Still do this 50 years later!
I was told to say Jack Rabbit
Slightly different. Say “HARES” as the last word on last day of month before going to sleep. Say “RABBITS” first thing the following morning, or “WHITE RABBITS” if you forgot HARES the previous night.
My sister, 87 year old mom and I all do this every month. Jan 1 of the new year is especially lucky for whomever says “White Rabbit” first.
We yell bunny bunny bunny at midnight instead of Happy New Year!
My sister, 87 year old mom and I all do this every month. Jan 1 of the new year is especially lucky for whomever says “White Rabbit” first.
I first learned of this fun monthly tradition when I worked at a summer camp in Maine (Wyonegonic) in 1989. Since that time I have encouraged the ‘game’ within my family, with friends, and even in my classroom (high school science). Our family has made it a game and everyone rushes to be the first to ‘say it’ or ‘text it’. Our kids are grown and live away from home now. I have students ‘rabbit rabbit’ me from time to time along with exchange students that have lived with us through the years. For several years my husband, and sometimes me, lived in Asia for a time. Our kids would always complain that it wasn’t fair that we had a 12-13 for head start and always won during that time. While we never had the history behind this tradition, we have enjoyed it as a fun game. That was enough for us!! Thanks for sharing this information.
How wonderful! Love that your students get involved too.
I have a former exchange student who texts me, bunny bunny bunny, each month. It isn’t fair. She’s 9 hours ahead of me.
My sister is one hour ahead of me and our brothers. We tell her that she doesn’t get it unless it’s 1am her time. Just to be fair to the rest of us. Ha ha. Poor sister.
I am so very delighted to read this article, as my Mother would encourage all three of us girls with that “Oh So British” accent she’d say “don’t forget what tonight is!!, she was born in 1923 so I guess it’s been around since that time. As a child we loved to wait on our Family Clock ( that I still have today, brought home from Germany in the late 40’s by my Father. It’s a double dinger known as a “BIM BAM” to clockmakers to ring that incredible 24 times.) It’s something I have never forgotten to do over 50 years. I don’t think White Rabbit has had a chance to rest. Sweet Little Bunny!!
What luck you must have! Thank you for sharing – this is a wonderful story!
I never knew this. I’m gonna do it every month. I think I’ll say it 3 times, since 3 seems to be lucky for me.
seems like the dumbest illogical, hard to remember, just one day a month before you are concious to say rabbit rabbit. all bets are off on me doing this, i wake up so groggy, even though i live a lone and could do it at 10am
My dad told us to say it 3x, so that’s what I’ve done for the last 40 years!
What a fun, great tradition!
I was not aware of this tradition until one of my college dorm suite-mates, Tracy informed me. At our dorm at Auburn University, Tracy greeted each suite-mate with “Rabbit Rabbit” the 1st day of the month. I lost contact with Tracy; but this article brings back great memories. In case you are that Tracy, I would like to reconnect, at least around the 1st day of the month!
Never heard of this until today. I did it, hope it helps! ?
Excellent! I finally remembered to say it first thing!
I will from now on.
🙂 awesome!
I say it three times every month!
Never heard this, rabbit foot supposed to be good luck. Some people I know carry a foot in their pocket. I am going to try saying “Rabbit Rabbit’ want hurt and I can use some luck.
Never hear this, rabbit foot is good luck but the saying I don’t know. Going to try.
, come on good luck.
Never heard of this.
Hi,
I first learned about “rabbit rabbit!” when I was 15 and attending Wyonegonic Camp in Denmark, ME.
On the first day of the month (July and August at camp), we were told to jump off the end of our cot, whirl around 3 times and yell “rabbit rabbit!” to have good luck for the month. It became a contest to see which of us in the cabin said it first. My family and a friend from camp that I am still friends with
(after 53 years) still do this every month. It is a fun way to keep in touch with everybody at least once a month.
Thanks for the article – Farmers Almanac has great stories and lots of little known interesting facts that I enjoy reading.
Mary Beth McGurin
Stanley, VA
I love that you learned about this tradition in Maine. I grew up and still live in Maine. I can’t remember when I first learned about RABBIT. I think in the 1980’s. I belong to a zoom group and I started this tradition and now we try to be the first to text it to each other. quite the same as face to face but it’s fun.
yes I have said this for as long as I can remember – started maybe when I was 6 or 7 and my friend’s father told us to say it lol and for some reason it stuck
Yes I have done this for years when I remembered.
In the 1950s and 60s a disc jockey in New Haven, CT told us to say “Rabbit, rabbit, white rabbit” and then walk down the stairs backwards on the first day of the month.
Never heard of this but I’ll try and see what happens. I have heard of the rabbits foot being good luck.
I have said it every month for years and years
I’ve said rabbit rabbit for a long time. Good to know the information
How fun! Too bad the email with this article came at 9pm on the 1st..lol. Looks like I don’t get the 30 days of good luck!
I say the phrase every first day of the month. Especially if we are in a Mercury Retrograde phase! 🙂
I was always told to say “white rabbit, white rabbit, white rabbit” and turn around three times as I’m saying it. I’m from Liverpool, in the northwest of England. These days, I often still do it – but sometimes I say it silently because some might think I was bonkers!
I have never heard of this tradition but will remember it for the future as any good luck would be well appreciated
Yes, I have said it first of the month for decades.
My dad told me about this, only he always said….. RABBITS RABBITS RABBITS ??♂️?
I’ve been saying on the first of each month now since 1962!♥️????
We say bunny bunny.
I certainly will…It’s my Birthday! I will do it I need some good luck. WHO DOESN’T?
I learned a very long time ago to say RABBIT RABBIT the first day of each month. We still do so yoday. It’s fun and challenging. Been doing for decades
I was taught a young age to say “Rabbit, Rabbit, Rabbit” first thing in the morning on the first day of each month… I’ve done it for decades. If me still being alive is considered lucky, then by all means, it’s worth saying, otherwise, I haven’t seen much luck by saying this. Regardless, I still say it, it’s become a monthly routine that’s difficult to… Kick.
My roommate in college told me to say “Rabbit Rabbit” before I had breakfast on the 1st of every month, for good luck for the whole month. I have been doing it for the past 40 years. Thank you for the explanation.
I post Rabbit Rabbit on my Facebook page on the first of the month. I have been doing it as long as Facebook has been around. My FB friends now expect to see it! I have been saying it the first of the month for since I was a kid (50 years).
Wally Phillips, morning radio personality on Chicago’s WGN, said ‘rabbit, rabbit’ every 1st of the month for over 20 years in the 60’s & 70’s.
Cute story on the rabbit rabbit thing, but I will probably never log in and read your page again as the multiple gun holster ads creeped me out totally. With all the recent mass shootings the last think I want to see is 4 images of someone locked and loaded. WOW.
Hmm I wonder about the cookies on your computers the adds I got were for losing weight via walking
Yeah? Mine were for sun dresses and the farmers Almanac. ~Another Jennifer
Depends on what you have been talking about near your phone, or you have been searching on your phone or purchases you have made. It’s not the page. I currently have toothpaste and, and Lowe’s and.
Good bye
I have been doing this for decades but never knew why. When I was a child, I went to a sleepover at my neighbors house. It just happened to be the end of the month. My best friend, at the time, told me I needed to say “Rabbit, Rabbit” as the first words when I woke up in the morning. She told me it was good luck but had no explanation. I have been doing it ever since. I am now in my 60’s. Can’t say that I have had good luck ever since then, but in my mind, it seems to help. Ironically, I have only had one pet, and it was a rabbit. She was amazing and was the love of my life. She lived to be 13 years old. I guess that was my GOOD LUCK!!
My mother always said “white rabbits” three times on the first of every month for good luck. I am 80 years old and still do it!! But thanks to you, I now know why she did it. We lived in England and my father was in the British Royal Air Force during WWII, so she probably got the habit from him. We all emigrated to Canada in 1957, had a great life here, maybe white rabbits works!!!
As a physicist I am not superstitious, but then there’s this story (maybe true?):
Erwin Schrodinger visits Neils Bohr in Copenhagen in the mid 1930s, sees a horseshoe nailed to the wall with a rabbit’s foot hanging from it.
S: Herr Bohr, what is that horseshoe and rabbit’s foot doing on your wall?
B: It’s there for good luck.
S: As a physicist, surely you don’t believe in such superstition?
B: Oh no, I am not superstitious in the least.
S: So why are they there?
B: Because it brings good luck if you are superstitious or not!
And if you forget and Rabbit Rabbit are not the first words you say you can always say Tibbar Tibbar for the last words of the day. That’s Rabbit backwards. I’m 67 and learned this in the fourth grade. I now text it with my family. It’s a way of connecting.
We always say “rabbit rabbit day”! If I forgotten and I’ve already spoken I still say “rabbit rabbit day”! I have been a very lucky person all my life.
My family are practitioners. We are of the 3x subspecies. We learned of it from my Aunt Noelle, who lived in Barbados. We are scattered, so we text each other the first morning of the month.
Down in Tallahassee, only one coworker had ever heard of the tradition. I was the first person he met who knew of it. He grew up on Port St. Joe in the FL panhandle.
I’ve been saying Rabbit Rabbit since I was a little girl, born in 1955, so it’s been a very old tradition. I think my mother taught it to me, though,I’m the only child out of 5 who seems to recall it. I have now instilled the tradition in my husband’s repertoire of voodoo and he has added that we should say “Bears” on the last day of the month!
I cannot say that it has made any difference in my having good or bad luck but I still enjoy it.
Yes I have been saying rabbit rabbit for over 30 years! ???
I first learned of this tradition in high school, with the addition of Bunny, Bunny. Just this morning I said Rabbit, rabbit, bunny, bunny upon waking! Glad to have some idea where it comes from.
You gave us this information on the 3rd! I guess it’s too late for THIS month!! HahahaHAhaHAhaHa!!