I have just completed a new oil painting of The Three Hares. This fascinating and ancient symbol of three Hares running in a circle joined by their ears which form a triangle giving the illusion that each Hare has two ears when in fact they only have one, has been found in various places all over the world. The earliest dates back to the Sui Dynesty 581-618AD and was found in a Buddhist cave temple in Mogao in China, but it has also been found in France, Germany, Switzerland, Iran and Nepal. The earliest European examples date to around 1200AD, in England to around 1300AD where it is found mainly in Mediaeval Church roof bosses of which Devon has by far the most with a total of 17 churches containing 29 carved bosses.
The Hare is strongly represented in the world of mythology and from ancient times it has had devine associations. Its illusiveness and unusual behaviour have reinforced its reputation as a magical creature. It was believed to have mystical links to the female cycle and the moon which governed it. The theory of the Ancients that the Hare was hermaphroditic and could procreate without a mate led to the belief that it could give birth without the loss of its virginity. In Christian context the Three Hares may be associated with the Virgin Mary and her role in the redemption of mankind. This might explain why the boss is often found in juxtaposition in western churches with the boss of the Green Man which is perhaps a representation of sinful humanity.
The Hare has been linked with the moon in myth and folklore in India, China, Africa, Mexico, North America and Europe and the moon-hare image is well known with its connection to immortality. The Chinese refer to 'the hare in the moon' rather than 'the man in the moon'. In Saxon times the Goddess Oestra or Eostra was said to rule over the spring or dawn and her sacred animal was the Hare which was also the symbol of the moon. The gestation period of the Hare is 28 days which compares with the moons monthly cycle.
Here in this painting I have placed my version of The Three Hares running eternally on a full Moon. Above this I have placed the Tripple Moon which is a symbol of the three manifestations of woman, waxing, full and waning. Top left is the Triquetra a Celtic symbol symbolising the Triple Goddess who is a manifestation of maid, mother and crone, this symbol was later adopted by Christianity as a sign for the Trinity. Top right I have placed the Triskele a Celtic symbol combining the sacred number three with the spiral often used to represent the cycle of life and also the power of life and rebirth.
I have painted Stonehenge to represent the ancient mystery surrounding the Three Hares Symbol which like the true meaning of Stonehenge has become obscured by the mists of time. Also there are many Hares living in this area.
Bottom left of the picture I have painted the Church of St Michael in Chagford where I have my gallery, on the right is the Church of St Andrew in Sampford Courtenay where I now live. Both these Churches have two fine examples of carved wooden bosses depicting The Three Hares.
In the sky I have painted (top right) the ancient constellation of Lepus the Hare. To the left is Canis Major the Great Dog which is forever hunting the Hare through the night sky, the bright star of Sirius twinkling on its nose. On the lower right you will see my favourite constellation Orion and on the left Leo which is my birth sign.
