It's a bunny old world

The rich cultural meanings and the goodwill that the ancient Chinese embedded in the rabbit are on show at the latest installment of the National Museum of China's annual Chinese New Year Exhibition.

The exhibition, launched in January, is being held until March. It highlights more than 80 artifacts that depict the rabbit's multiple roles, from a subject of worship for its fertility, as a synonym for the moon, as a herald of a ruler-to-be blessed with wisdom and good virtue, to a symbol of longevity, prosperity and happiness.

On show are objects made of jade, ceramic and bronze, as well as paintings and calligraphy, dated from the Shang Dynasty (c. 16th century-11th century BC) to the modern day.