Hare

There are two symbolic meanings for a hare, one specific and which I have placed under the heading of Hare [March] and the more generic meaning I will be describing here.

The generic symbolism of the hare is derived from its two enormous ears and its large bulging eyes. It is a symbol of a person both capable of profound spiritual experience [bulging eyes] and in touch permanently with the spirit world [ears]. In this respect the ears are in effect the two tunnels of the opened crown chakra, equivalent to the twin horns.

Thus a hare in many cultures is a sort of 'god' a permanently enlightened being.

The symbol is very closely aligned with the Fool and we see here some links with the idea of the March hare – the mad hare – as being permanently in touch with the spiritual world can drive you slightly barmy. Madness and spirituality of this intensity, as we see time and time again are closely related. Hares can burn out.

In a few cultures there is also a further symbolism derived from its cleft lip. This signifies duality, but a positive duality – one who is living in both worlds , spirit and physical, further links are thus to be made between the hare and the concept of suspension as well as the Hanged Man.

Observations

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• Alice in Wonderland - Ch 06 - 4 Cheshire cat
• Alice in Wonderland - Ch 07 - 1 A Mad Tea Party
• Alice in Wonderland - Ch 07 - 2 The Dormouse's story
• Aurora consurgens - 04 An allegory of Union
• Beuys, Joseph - Animals and Insects
• Beuys, Joseph - Head
• Beuys, Joseph - How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare 01
• Beuys, Joseph - How to Explain Pictures to a Dead Hare 02
• Cadmus
• Cirlot on hares
• Cohen, Leonard - By the Rivers Dark
• Hughes, Ted - Crow - Crow decided to try words
• M A Czaplicka - Siberian magic
• Paul Devereux - Native American Indians - Mazinaw Rock
• Salvador Dalí Illustrates Alice in Wonderland, 1969
• Six Dharmas of Nāropa - 10 Gtummo - The Manner of the Arising of the Four Blisses
• Sylvie and Bruno - As there was only one cluster of hare-bells
• Through the Looking Glass - Ch 07 - 1 The Lion and the Unicorn
• Through the Looking Glass - Ch 07 - 3 Plum cake
• Totem group – Picts – Sign of Zodiac - Hare
• Xam bushmen - Story of the hare
• Yeats, W B - Collected poems - Would I could cast a sail on the water
• Yeats, W B - The Wanderings of Oisin - The hare grows old