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medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
The image is a well known popular boss in late medieval Devon roofs, as I imagine the OP knows. The example I know of is Tavistock, north-east chapel, but it's really quite a feature across the county.
 
Jon  
 
Date: Thu, 16 Jan 2014 12:20:21 -0500
From: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] Religious symbolism of rabbits
To: [log in to unmask]

medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
 
A similar image occurs in stained glass at Long Melford in Suffolk to be 
seen her:
 
http://www.flickr.com/photos/53366513@N00/4893824612

Gordon Pulmb
 
 
In a message dated 15/01/2014 18:24:59 GMT Standard Time, [log in to unmask] writes:
medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
If we are not distinguishing between hares and rabbits, have you considered the Three Hares in Paderborne Cathedral who symbolise the Holy Trinity ? (All 3 hares have 2 ears but there are only 3 ears in all ....
 
BMC
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 3:16 PM
Subject: [M-R] Religious symbolism of rabbits

medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

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

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