The Three Hares Trail
The fascinating and ancient symbol of three hares running in a circle with their ears joined in the centre forming a triangular shape, which gives the illusion that each hare has two ears when in fact they only have one, has been discovered in various places all over the world. The earliest, dating back to 581 AD, were discovered in Buddhist caves in China, however they have also been found in Nepal, Iran, Southern Russia, Switzerland, Germany and France. They are thought to have been brought on the silk route to Britain where they are found mainly in Medieval church roof bosses. Devon has by far the most, with seventeen churches containing a total of twenty nine bosses, plus other places where the image is depicted in plaster and glass.
A love of hares and a fascination for the three hares symbol was one of the reasons I was drawn to Chagford on Dartmoor, where the church of St Michael has two beautifully carved examples of this image and the symbol can be seen throughout the small Stannary town where it is known as the "Tinners Rabbits".
No one is quite sure of the meaning of the Three Hares image, however the hare, with its illusiveness and unusual behaviour, has a reputation as a magical creature and is strongly linked with mythology. In ancient times it had divine associations with the goddess Oestre and rebirth, also the female cycle and the moon which governed it. In Christianity, it may be associated with the Holy Trinity.
The Three Hares Trail is something I created because the image intrigued me so much; it inspired me to do an oil painting of every one of the 17 churches in Devon that contains the symbol. The paintings also include an exact copy of the boss or bosses found in every church, as some have more than one!
I then thought that this would make an interesting trail, which would take visitors and local people around to all the towns and villages on the trail. So far it has proved very popular; I even know of people who have come to Dartmoor for a holiday so they could follow the trail!
I'd be delighted to take people to see some of the beautiful churches on the trail, encouraging them to also spend a little time exploring each place and eating in the pubs or tea rooms etc, and visiting the local shops.
This trail has been entirely funded by myself; the leaflets are free and can be picked up at most visitor centres and also from my Three Hares Gallery in Chagford, or downloaded from my website. Simply go to www.devonsnatureinart.com, where the trail leaflet can be found in the section “The Three Hares Paintings”. It would be nice if people could donate a small amount to each church that they visit, if they are able.
You will need a car to get to most of the locations but many are within easy driving distance of each other. I hope on the way you will be able to enjoy some of the beautiful Devonshire scenery and explore the pretty villages where the Three Hares are found; there are some lovely walks and great places to eat at nearly all of the places on the trail. It is advisable to take a torch as some of the roof bosses are in dark places!
Above all, enjoy. It's a delight to see the symbol in so many fabulous locations.
By Eleanor Ludgate