Friday 24 October 2014

The Black Rabbit of Inlé

I've mentioned before that I am a huge fan of the book Watership Down by Richard Adams and also of the excellent animated movie based on it. I love how the author created a whole myth-based spirituality for the rabbits centred around their sun-deity, Great Frith.

At this time of year, it seems only fitting to do a post honouring Great Frith's alter-ego, the Black Rabbit of Inlé. Like our own grim reaper, the Black Rabbit appears to all rabbits at their predestined hour of death and guides them from this world. "Inlé" is the rabbit word for the moon.

Here's the Black Rabbit as portrayed in the 1978 movie --



And here are some exceptional fan art interpretations of the Black Rabbit of Inlé --






[by evion]


[by Fiszike]



And don't think that you are immune to the Black Rabbit just because you are human. Go ahead, check under your bed and see if you have one of these --


[by swandog]

34 comments:

Aine O'Brien said...

Oh I've seen that Dust Bunny many many times, but I have a secret weapon ....the swiffer.

Workingdan said...

I will never look at rabbits the same. You've ruined a perfectly good image of fluffy cuddles and candy.

Now when I think of rabbits all I will see is fear and death.

I don't think I'll be sleeping very well in the spring when the Easter Bunny comes to town.

Vanessa Morgan said...

Oh, I love Watership Down. First time I heard about it was through a music video (Simon and Garfunkel, if I'm not mistaken). I was still a child then and I had to cry each time the video was on. Great images.

Mark said...

I never thought I'd see such an evil, but also cool looking, rabbit. I should really read Watership Down.

DEZMOND said...

rabbits have always been a bit weird... which is no wonder since they're related to rats :)

Snap said...

I love Watership Down too. Finally found a hardcover copy since the paperback was falling apart.

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Mary said...

All so beautiful, and thank you for sharing. Watership Down is such a magnificent story. I have tears in my eyes.

Jeanne said...

I think I may have a whole herd of those black dust bunnies under there! Oops! That's just a cat.
I love that book! I shall have to put it on my re-read list! Haven't seen the movie though. And that little problem will soon be remedied!
Have a great weekend!

Jeanne said...

p.s. Love this post and ALL the images!

Dixie@dcrelief said...

To quote Elmer Fudd: "Be wery kwy-it, we're hunting wabbit." Uh, well, maybe not this one. What a sinister looking snit. (No she did not say snit.)

Fundy Blue said...

LOL! I have seen lots of dust bunnies, but none as scary as that last image! Have a great weekend, Debra!

This N That said...

Very interesting Deb.got a little eerie...Love the images..Never heard of the "Black rabbit"..
I love wabbits !!

The Happy Whisk said...

Looks scary.

Mistress Maddie said...

Never heard of it, but loved hearing about it. Those last couple art interpretations are very eerie. One rabbit I wouldn't want to see!

Professor Chaos said...

Is that who the rabbit in Donny Darko is?

I've never read the book or seen the animated film so this is the first I've heard if him.

To the library!

Ah, who am I kidding? To Netflix!



Dawna said...

That dust bunny definitely made me want to get the hoover out!!
Some great art here:)

Rawknrobyn.blogspot.com said...

He scares me, though I'd like to eat his candy corn eyes in the first graphic.

Happy weekend, Deb.

Rosemary said...

Another Watership Down fan here - amazingly Richard Adams is now 94 years old and still going strong.

Adam said...

first I've heard of the book

Plowing Through Life (Martha) said...

These are fabulous! I especially love the 'darker' versions.

Well, the rabbits have been certainly guided away from this world where I live. We were once infested with them. But the coyotes and fishers that have been hunting at night have brought down their numbers A LOT! Poor little bunnies...

Magic Love Crow said...

Very cool post! I have never heard of the Black Rabbit before! I for sure have the Black Dust Bunny under my bed! LOL! (thanks for your kind words on my blog!)

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psychelyn said...

Oh I hope not to see one. Two black cats at home are more than enough :) I've never read that book but it's good to know, I might find it to satisfy my interest.

Miss Val's Creations said...

This post has me thinking of the freaky black rabbit in Donny Darko!

Unknown said...

Why do grim reapers always have to be so scary? I'd like to think the thing that ushers me into the afterlife would be comforting and loving.

CraveCute said...

I think I need to read the book again. Great images of the black rabbit, especially the Black Dust Bunny, I have lots of those because of Guy...

yellowdoggranny said...

dang, them's some scary critters..

Anonymous said...

Evion's art is amazing, love it! I was shocked by Watership Down as a child, but now I think it's brilliant, a great story. Yeah, that darned dust bunny just keeps coming back :-)

Bill Lisleman said...

Ha, dust bunnies under the bed. Down in the basement they get even bigger like, I don't know, dust cows.

Riot Kitty said...

Eep! No more Mr. Cuddles, that's for sure.

Unknown said...

Some good ones there... and the horse is my new fave!

I always think the 'human organ' stuff is creepy.... but i guess that makes sense for Halloween...

Rhissanna said...

So sorry I missed this! Yes, when he calls you have to go. Now I have to listen to "Bright Eyes" and wiffle my nose.