Bunny's White Paws Are Innocent: Debunking Taiwan's Superstition About "White Soles"

The Story Behind a Rabbit Adoption Post

It all began with an adoption post I came across online. According to the description, the rabbit's previous owner had bought two rabbits last year simply because it was the Year of the Rabbit. Sadly, one of them has already passed away.

Adding to the little rabbit's misfortune, traditional beliefs say that animals with white paws are considered unlucky or unattractive. Because of this, the former owner reportedly disliked the rabbit even more.

To make matters worse, the family's child often bullied the poor creature. The post ended there, but the story spoke volumes about how easily lives can be treated as trends or decorations — and how much kindness these small beings truly need.

(Information and image originally cited from an online adoption listing)

The Origins of Taiwan's "White-Pawed" Superstition

Taiwan is a fascinating place where almost every aspect of daily life carries its own unique set of traditions, customs, and beliefs. From old sayings like "don't point at the moon with your finger," to practices such as never breaking your noodles when eating, applying lard to burns, and the rule that when attending an engagement meal, the groom's family should leave halfway through — these customs are deeply woven into Taiwanese culture.

When it comes to animals, many people have heard of a rather curious superstition: if a pet — often called a "fur baby" — has white paws, it's believed to bring bad luck or misfortune to the household. Because of this belief, animal shelters and streets are often filled with "white-pawed" cats, dogs, rabbits, and even guinea pigs that people hesitate to adopt.

But where did this strange notion come from, and does it have any factual basis at all? The following explanation will shed light on the origins of this age-old superstition.

The Legend and Debunking of the "White-Hoofed" Horse Omen

Origin of the Legend

According to folklore from the Three Kingdoms period, Liu Bei, the founding emperor of Shu Han, once rode a horse with white feet. Later, after his failed campaign against the kingdom of Wu, Liu Bei died in Baidi City—literally "White Emperor City." As time passed, people connected the words "white feet" (bai jiao) and "White Emperor" (Bai Di), coming to believe that animals with white hooves were bad omens.

Debunking the Belief

But consider this: that same white-footed horse helped Liu Bei, a humble seller of straw sandals, rise to become an emperor. Isn't that the very definition of good fortune?

Folk Customs and Misunderstandings

In ancient times, most people went barefoot. When a family member died, mourners covered their feet with white cloth along with wearing mourning attire, so "white feet" came to evoke the image of death and misfortune. Yet, by this logic, wouldn't all Taiwanese schoolchildren—who wear white socks daily—be considered unlucky? Clearly not.

Language Connections

In Taiwanese, "white feet" sounds similar to "crippled feet," which is why people feared that raising a "white-footed" animal might bring bad luck to the household. But that reasoning falls apart under scrutiny. After all, the Taiwanese word for the ritual offerings made on the first and fifteenth of each lunar month sounds the same as "bye-bye," yet no one avoids doing that!

In Mandarin, "white feet" also sounds similar to the phrase for "ruin one's household." People took this as another reason to fear "white-footed" animals. But again, superstition based purely on sound similarity doesn't stand up to logic.

Whether through myth, custom, or phonetic coincidence, the legend of the unlucky white-hoofed horse shows how language and culture shape superstition. Seen from today's perspective, these beliefs say more about human imagination than about the animals themselves.

Modern Perspectives: The Lucky White Paws

Veterinary experts have pointed out that dogs with white paws are often more intelligent. Breeds such as Border Collies, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Beagles frequently have white paws, and many dogs known for quick reactions and strong learning abilities share this characteristic.

In Japan, animals with white paws are believed to carry a lucky "birthmark." The white rabbit, for instance, is seen as a universal symbol of good fortune. In Taiwan, however, cultural traditions differ. Older generations sometimes consider white paws unlucky due to old superstitions.

From a breed certification standpoint, white paws are not inherently inauspicious. For example, a black cat with white paws and a white belly is called a "Yun Ti" (Cloud Hoof) and is actually regarded as a premium variety. There's even a saying: "A black cat with a white belly is worth twenty-five thousand." Among imported guard dog breeds such as Dobermans and Neapolitan Mastiff, many also belong to the "Yun Ti" category.

In the world of pet rabbits, several special varieties like the Creme d'Argent Rabbit, Chinchilla Rabbit, and Silver Marten Rabbit also adopt the "Cloud Hoof" pattern of white paws and a white belly for breed recognition.

Historically, during the Ming Dynasty, the giraffe that Zheng He presented to the emperor—celebrated as a living "Qilin," a mythic creature of good fortune—was itself a white-footed animal. This remarkable event effectively contradicted the many baseless rumors and superstitions surrounding white paws.

The Truth Behind White Paws in Rabbits

Summary: After reviewing all the information above, it's clear that a rabbit's white paws are nothing more than a natural genetic combination. They have absolutely nothing to do with luck, fortune, or a family's well-being. Animals don't get to decide what color they're born with—just like humans can't choose our looks or appearance.

The rumor that animals with "white paws" bring misfortune is, in truth, just an excuse some people use to rationalize abandoning their pets. In Taiwan, for instance, the yellow cattle revered by farmers and considered symbols of household wealth often have white feet. Dairy cows, even more so, typically have white legs or markings.

In today's 21st-century society, old superstitions like these should be treated as amusing stories from the past—not as serious beliefs. Taking them literally only reveals one's ignorance and tendency to shirk responsibility for one's actions. There are no "unlucky animals"—only ignorant humans who cling to meaningless superstitions.

The happiness of any pet depends entirely on its owner's attitude and awareness.