Character: moon rabbit
The Moon rabbit or Moon hare is a character from East Asian mythology, based on the identification of the dark markings on the Moon as a rabbit or hare.
In East Asia, the rabbit is seen as pounding with a mortar and pestle, but the contents of the mortar differ among Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Vietnamese folklore.
- In Chinese and Vietnamese folklore, the rabbit is often portrayed as a companion of the Moon goddess Chang'e, constantly pounding the elixir of life for her;
- In Japanese and Korean folklore, the rabbit is pounding the ingredients for mochi or some other type of rice cakes.