Well my primary focus is on the symbolism of artificial rabbit warrens, representing places where rabbits burrowed away safely under the protection of a warrener. In contrast, hares don’t use burrows but nest above ground. As such, the theological symbolism (if any) of warrens would be unique to rabbits.

 

However, whether those people writing about and depicting rabbits and hares made such distinctions between the two species is a different matter.

 

David.

 

From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Ms B M Cook
Sent: 15 January 2014 23:45
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] Religious symbolism of rabbits

 

medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

I really think you should be investigating "Hares and Rabbits" - not rabbits alone. [And that is what you should be saying on March 1st, walking backwards down the stairs, to bring good luck / avert bad luck. ] There is an enormous folk-lore about hares including the very well-known superstitions that (1) a hare was a witch in shape-shift mode and also (2) if a hare crossed the path of a pregnant woman, her baby would be born with a cleft palate - a "hare lip". And that is only the tip of the iceburg!!

----- Original Message -----

From: [log in to unmask]">Anne Willis

To: [log in to unmask]">[log in to unmask]

Sent: Wednesday, January 15, 2014 8:07 PM

Subject: Re: [M-R] Religious symbolism of rabbits

 

medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture

It is very unlikely that any Anglo-Saxon depiction of rabbits are rabbits; they are far more likely to be hares

 

The received opinion seems to be that although rabbits existed in England prior to the last ice age they died out and were not introduced into this country until after the Norman Conquest.  If the Romans introduced them, they did not survive.  They are quite delicate beasts; hence the need for warrens and pillow mounds until the 18^th century agricultural revolution provided crops for winter food

 

 

Anne

 

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From: medieval-religion - Scholarly discussions of medieval religious culture [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Genevra Kornbluth
Sent: 15 January 2014 16:47
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [M-R] Religious symbolism of rabbits

 

Dear David,

There are certainly various objects depicting rabbits or hares that don't appear to involve lust or procreation. Take a look at this page of my archive: http://www.kornbluthphoto.com/Rabbits.html (including the Arca image mentioned by Sharon Dale-- thanks, Sharon!). The photos there do not show a specific need for protection, but should be relevant. The inclusion of a rabbit/hare in the Otley Cross inhabited scroll (bottom) suggests the kind of approach you describe-- perhaps the Anglo-Saxonists on the list could comment further. The lintel from early Byzantine Cairo is certainly not northern, but the animal's context is again suggestive.

best,
Genevra

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