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.
Lunar 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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I hope you’re still collecting comments! My dad (b. 1929) grew up saying White Rabbit White Rabbit White Rabbit. I think it was from his father’s side (Jamaican Scotch). My siblings and I still share a group text on the first of each month (2025).
Greetings, I’m from Argentina, I can’t remember where I read about this nice little luck ritual (probably reddit or something), but I swear it works! Definitely life-changing. The few months where I’ve forgotten to say “rabbit rabbit rabbit” out loud as my first words of the first day of the month SUCKED! Bad things and unfortunate encounters would happen constantly during said months.
Now, to stop forgetting about saying rabbit x3 I’ve decided to set up an alarm at 23:59, on the last day of the month to remind myself. The first day of the next month arrives just a minute after that alarm, so, I can’t miss it! If I somehow forget and fall asleep, I’ll just wake up later in the morning for work and my phone will still have the “rabbit rabbit rabbit” notification so I can say the thing right after waking up.
So, 1st of March. Just did it. Have a great RABBIT RABBIT RABBIT month, everyone!!!!
My Nana from Scotland said “wee white rabbit, wee white rabbit, wee white rabbit” the first of the month for luck – she said you also had to get of out bed on the opposite side from usual and turn around 3 times while you said it. She was always looking for luck especially at her Thursday night Bingo.
How fun! This made us smile. Thanks for sharing your family’s version, Eileen!
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.