Search carefully in the parish church at Newton St Cyres and you will find a roof boss carved with the mythical symbol of three hares running in a circle, each seeming to have two ears, but in fact sharing only three between them.
This carving is one of a total of 29 examples of the ancient symbol found in 17 churches throughout Devon. The roof bosses in Devon's medieval churches survived the Reformation largely because of their inaccessibility. High on church ceilings they can be difficult to make out, but with the help of torch and binoculars these fascinating carvings – pelicans, whirlpools, green men, foliage and hearts and, of course, the Three Hares – spring to life.
The origin of the Three Hares goes back much further in time, to at least 581 AD, the date of a symbol found in Buddhist caves at Mogao near Dunhuang in China. The Hares have also been found in Iran, Nepal, Southern Russia, Germany, Switzerland and France. They are thought to have been brought to Britain along the Silk Route, and Devon has far more than any other county.
No one is sure of their meaning, but the hare is thought of as a magical creature and is strongly linked with mythology. In ancient times it had associations with rebirth and with the moon. In Christianity, the Three Hares may be associated with the Holy Trinity.
Dr. Tom Greeves established the Three Hares Project with art historian Sue Andrew and photographer Chris Chapman in 2000 to research and explore the Three Hares symbol in Britain and beyond. A Three Hares Trail leaflet identifies all the symbols to be found in Devon churches with illustrations by Eleanor Ludgate, the originals of which can be seen at her gallery, Ludgate Fine Art, in Chagford. Chagford church also has two carved Three Hares roof bosses.
Tom Greeves will be talking about the quest for this remarkable symbol, its origins and links with religions of the Old World at Upton Pyne Village Hall on Friday 14 November at 7pm. Tickets cost £8.50 to include supper in aid of the care of the village church. (More information and tickets from Linda Findlay, Friends of Upton Pyne, on 01392 841402 or friendsofuptonpyne@yahoo.co.uk).
A cultural environmentalist, Tom is a leading authority on the archaeology and history of Dartmoor. Since 1998 he has been chairman of the Dartmoor Society. He has been sites and monuments officer for Devon, archaeologist for Dartmoor National Park and local initiatives officer for the environmental arts group Common Ground.
