“Many cultures have stories about a rabbit in the moon. In Chinese folklore, the Jade Rabbit is said to be the faithful companion of the moon goddess, Chang’O. The two dwell on the moon together, where the Jade Rabbit mixes immortality potions. There is an earlier Buddhist legend that tells the story of the Buddha’s incarnation as a white rabbit. This rabbit was so good and generous that he offered up his own body as food for the gods. Moved by the rabbit’s willingness to sacrifice his own life, the god Shakra didn’t eat the rabbit, but instead honored him by carving his image into the face of the moon as a reminder of the pious act of sacrifice. There is a similar legend in Mexican folklore involving the Aztec god Quetzalcóatl. The god had transformed into a human so that he could visit the earth. After walking for a great distance, Quetzalcóatl was tired and hungry, so he sat down to rest. A small rabbit spotted the weary man, and hopped over to check on him. The rabbit noticed the man’s hunger, and offered himself as food. Quetzalcóatl declined the offer to eat the rabbit, but he lifted“him up so high in honor that his image was forever after imprinted upon the face of the moon.” Melanie Marquis. “Llewellyn's Little Book of Moon Spells”