To the casual viewer, a painting of a family of rabbits may seem whimsical or decorative. But in the work of Balinese artist Cyx Daeng, nothing is ever just what it seems. Each animal, plant, and gesture carries deep symbolic weight — rooted in spiritual beliefs, cultural memory, and personal meaning.
Rabbits, in particular, appear again and again in Cyx’s work. They are never static. They are playful, protective, alert. Sometimes they sit in quiet harmony; other times they leap toward something unseen. But always, they mean something.
So what do rabbits represent in Balinese and broader Southeast Asian symbolism — and why has Cyx made them such a central theme?
Let’s take a closer look.
🐇 The Rabbit as a Sacred Symbol
In many parts of Asia, rabbits are more than cute creatures — they are powerful cultural archetypes. In Chinese, Japanese, and Southeast Asian traditions, rabbits are associated with the moon, fertility, rebirth, cleverness, and gentleness.
In Balinese Hinduism, where daily life is interwoven with ceremony and symbolism, animals often carry dual roles — both physical and spiritual. While rabbits are not as prominent in classical Balinese myth as, say, the Barong or Garuda, they appear in shadow puppetry (wayang kulit) and local folklore as wise, nimble, and protective figures.
More broadly in Hindu-Buddhist cosmology, which influences Balinese belief, the rabbit is linked to sacrifice and compassion. In the Buddhist Jataka Tales, the rabbit willingly throws itself into a fire to feed a starving traveler — a gesture of selflessness that earns it a place on the moon. You’ll still see the “moon rabbit” motif across temples and artworks, especially during certain lunar ceremonies.
🌱 Family, Fertility, and the Flow of Life
One of the reasons rabbits resonate in Cyx’s paintings is their association with family and continuity.
Rabbits reproduce quickly and are attentive parents — symbols of both fertility and care. In a world where Balinese families often live in multigenerational compounds, the idea of the family unit as a sacred, self-sustaining organism is strong. Cyx often paints groups of rabbits — parents and children, clustered or nestled — as a reflection of that harmony.
“Rabbits remind us to protect the gentle things,” Cyx says. “They are not weak — they are watchful. They know how to survive while still being soft.”
This protective softness becomes a metaphor for Tri Hita Karana, the Balinese philosophy of harmony between people, nature, and spirit. Rabbits, moving quietly through the forest, living in rhythm with the land, embody this idea in miniature.
🌀 Cyx’s Interpretation: A Blend of Heritage and Modernity
Cyx doesn’t paint rabbits as naturalistic wildlife. His rabbits are stylized, often wide-eyed, sometimes surrounded by symbols: sacred trees, moon shapes, or flowing waves. Their poses echo ancient temple carvings, but their expressions feel startlingly contemporary — as if they’re aware of being watched.
This blending of tradition and modern perspective is what makes Cyx’s work so unique. His rabbits are:
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Guardians of innocence
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Messengers between worlds
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Symbols of resilience in a world that demands gentleness
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And occasionally, stand-ins for the artist himself, reflecting his own quiet observations
In Balinese belief, the line between artist and subject is often blurred. To paint is to enter a state of meditation — a communion with both the material and the divine. In painting rabbits, Cyx channels both ancestral memory and present emotion.
🖼 Why Collectors Connect With the Rabbits
We’ve seen firsthand how viewers respond emotionally to Cyx’s rabbit paintings. Maybe it’s the expression in the eyes, or the serenity of the scenes. But more than that, there’s a feeling — that this means something.
In a chaotic world, the rabbit becomes a symbol of:
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Stillness amid motion
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Care in an uncaring system
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Hope that softness can still thrive
For collectors, this isn’t just decor — it’s a daily reminder of values they hold dear. Whether hanging in a living room or meditation space, the work offers a moment of grounding.
✨ Final Thoughts
Cyx Daeng’s rabbit paintings are more than beautiful compositions — they are windows into a worldview. One where vulnerability is strength, nature is sacred, and family is the center of everything.
By understanding the symbolism behind these creatures, you begin to see not just what is painted, but why. And that’s where art becomes something more: a bridge between worlds.
Explore Cyx’s latest rabbit series in the MizunaraCraft Art Gallery — and bring a piece of this quiet wisdom into your own space.