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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture 'Further reading' in the Shire publication 'The Archaeology of Rabbit Warrens', includes Stocker D and Stocker, M; 'Sacred Profanity; the theology of rabbit breeding and the symbolic landscape of the warren' I have not read this, but it might have some useful information Anne _____ From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Gould, David Sent: 15 January 2014 15:16 To: [log in to unmask] Subject: [M-R] Religious symbolism of rabbits Hi, Is anyone aware of any religious texts or pieces of art that apply some sort of religious symbolism to rabbits? The usual symbolic association attributed to rabbits tends to be of lust or fecundity, but there has been a suggestion that rabbits are a symbol of vulnerability, particularly during the medieval period in northern Europe when they needed the protection of a warrener and an artificial warren to thrive. According this theory, the representation of the animal's need for protection could be used in texts and art as being symbolic of humankind's need for salvation by Christ. I'm aware of depictions of rabbits being hunted, or in marginalia where roles are reversed and rabbits are hunting dogs, but could anyone point me in the direction of any texts or pieces of art that specifically treat rabbits not as prey, but as something requiring protection. There may be some overlap here - for example a wall painting at Hailes Abbey, Gloucestershire, depicts a rabbit seeking refuge from dogs. Many thanks to anyone able to help. David Gould http://eprofile.exeter.ac.uk/davidgould ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: subscribe medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: unsubscribe medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/medieval-religion ********************************************************************** To join the list, send the message: subscribe medieval-religion YOUR NAME to: [log in to unmask] To send a message to the list, address it to: [log in to unmask] To leave the list, send the message: unsubscribe medieval-religion to: [log in to unmask] In order to report problems or to contact the list's owners, write to: [log in to unmask] For further information, visit our web site: http://www.jiscmail.ac.uk/medieval-religion