Sir/Dame Hare: The gender-fluid deity who saved a city from an epidemic

The legend behind a Beijing custom dating back to before the 17th century:

"So it was said, in a certain year, a sudden epidemic swept through Beijing. Almost every household was struck, and there was no cure for the disease. [The moon deity] Chang' E saw what was happening, and being very grieved, she sent her companion the Jade Hare to Earth to heal the people.

Jade Hare transformed into a teenage girl, and went from house to house curing patients. The people, in their gratitude, offered many gifts to them, but Jade Hare wanted none of that. They only took from each household a set of clothing, changing their outfit each time they moved on to a new location. Sometimes they appeared as a man; sometimes they appeared as a woman.

To reach more people, Jade Hare rode on a horse, a deer, a lion and a tiger. They covered all of the capital and its suburbs. Jade Hare returned to the Moon Palace after the epidemic was eradicated.

From then on, people made clay idols of Jade Hare, some riding a deer, some riding a phoenix, some dressed in armor, some dressed as artisans and tradespeople. On the 15th day of the 8th lunar month, each household lays offerings of fruit, vegetables and legumes on the deity's altar, to thank them for bringing blessing and happiness to the human world. The people fondly address them as Sir Hare or Dame Hare."

A cartoon retelling of the legend. ("Sometimes it is a man, sometimes it is a woman")

Although this legend and its associated observances are local to Beijing, stories of the Jade Hare are told all over China and beyond. Theories of the Jade Hare's origin vary. There is no consensus as to its gender.

Sources:

• 兔儿爷"的前世今生 (人民日报海外版)
• 兔儿爷 (Baidu Encyclopedia)