The basic design consists of three hares with conjoined ears arranged in a circle. Each hare appears to have two ears, but shares one with the adjacent hare, so that only three ears appear in the design. The ears form a central triangle with the hares in profile, often in a running or leaping pose.
While the remaining examples of the three hares motif cover a wide geographical range, the majority are located in southeast England, particularly Devon, where they appear on nearly 30 roof bosses (stone or wooden bas reliefs) in local churches, most medieval. All later examples are copies. In Devon, the design is commonly referred to as "Tinners' Rabbits," perhaps because local tin miners adopted the image as their trademark. The fact that tin miners regularly funded church repair and construction in the Middle Ages may be responsible for the profusion of the design in medieval churches in the area. Some private homes in Devon dating from the 16th and 17th centuries also feature the three hares design in their plaster ceilings.
After England, northern Germany and France are home to the largest amount of three hares examples. The oldest example, however, hails from Dunhuang in China. These two facts have given rise to two alternate theories about the origin of the motif; it may be an ancient German or English symbol, which would explain the great number of such designs in that area, or it may have traveled to western Europe from the East along trade routes.
In addition to roof bosses, the three hares motif appears in stained glass windows, floor tiles, paintings, and carvings in European churches, as well as on a bell in a German abbey. In China, the earliest three hares examples appear on Buddhist cave temple ceilings dating from the Sui and Tang dynasties (581-907 CE). In the Middle East and Eastern Europe, medieval examples of the three hares motif include glass, ceramic, and metal works. Some notable pieces are a thirteenth century Iranian coin and an elaborate Islamic reliquary casket from Southern Russia.
The beauty and mystery of the three hares design continues to inspire artwork into the modern day. Though its precise meaning is a matter of conjecture, hares and the number three hold ancient mystical significance. Hares have long been associated with lunar and feminine power. They were also thought in the ancient world to be hermaphroditic and capable of virgin birth, so the design may once have been associated with the Virgin Mary.
thanks to: http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-three-hares-motif.htm
Since no one really knows what this sybolizes I thought I would post more info as I find it...here is another view:
The Three-Fold Law is the belief and principle on which magick is used. This law relates to the use of power and energy, for when used, power is returned to the sender, three times the level it was sent out.
Used in relation with the ethos, “Do what thy wilt, though it harm none” (as stated in the Wiccan Rede), witches take great care when preparing and casting spells that no harm should come to others because of it.
The nature of this three-fold return can perhaps be better understood when considering the cause and effect principle of a spell. Let’s take an example – someone comes to you in distress with a problem, you help by sending out positive energy and the problem is successfully resolved. This automatically makes you feel good about yourself and influences your thoughts; thus your state of consciousness is altered. In turn your thoughts stir the emotions, which has a physical effect in the body by causing glandular secretions to enter into the blood stream. The resulting state of mind and body lifts your spirit, which is what makes you feel good. Thus with the act of a single good deed, you have been effected three times, in mind, body, and spirit. This then is your three-fold response to the return of positive energy. Now consider your response had you sent out negative energy or something went drastically wrong?
Thanks to: http://www.controverscial.com/The%20Three%20Fold%20Law.htm
Here is some information, maybe you can make your own decision:
Three: The spiritual meaning of number Three deals with magic, intuition, fecundity, and advantage. The number Three invokes expression, versatility, and pure joy of creativity. Three is also a time identifier as it represents Past, Present and Future. Consecutive Threes in your life may symbolize the need to express yourself creatively, or consider your present directional path in relation to past events and future goals. Three may also represent promising new adventures, and assurance of cooperation from others whom you may require help. Three typically symbolizes reward and success in most undertakings.
Hare definition hare (her, har)
noun pl. hares or hare
any of a large group of swift mammals (order Lagomorpha) of the same family (Leporidae) as the rabbits, with long ears, soft fur, a cleft upper lip, a short tail, and long, powerful hind legs: it differs from a rabbit in that it is larger, does not burrow, and has furry, active young
Brit: Informal to run fast or go hurriedly: with off, away, about, etc.
Also look up: Drei-Hasen-Fenster
OK AFTER MUCH RESEARCH (because I find this very interesting) HERE IS WHAT I THINK!!!
A) Rabbits are considered to be Lucky in asian cultures.
B) They are also a symbol of child birth/ fertility and the coming of spring (EI Easter, a celebration of Eostre the fertility god)
C) In chinese numbers ODD numbers (3 rabbits) represent Yang energy (spirit) Celestial (sky/space) and is are masculine.
D) 3 is considered a lucky number a powerful number (taking the power of two forces and mixing them to make a new energetic presence.
E) The word HARE in greek is Lepus- there is an S constellation between Eridanus and Canis Major Near Orion and Columba, what is interesting about this is:
Orion is the Hunter Canis is the Dog and Lepus is the Rabbit (hunter with his hounds chasing the rabbit)
F) With Space in mind:
The Moon is reliant of the sun to reflect or MIRROR (mirrors are also considered doorways, see (G) ) its image to our eyes, The Moon is the symbolic soul mate to water (moon, sun, earth (water). One if the Lunar animals that "dance" with the pull of the moon is the Hare.
The new moon= Re-birth
Waxing Moon=Growth "heavy with child"
F) Triangles and the meanings they can have:
Waxing Waning Full (moon)
Spirit Mind Body
Mother Father Child
Past Present Future
Power Intelect Love
Creation Preservation Destruction
Birth Death Life
(EI some kind of Harmony)
G) In the Greek culture the Triangle is seen as the Delta glyph and is Symbolic of a doorway, I think this is maybe why the Drei-Hasen-Fenster is above a window which can also be considered a doorway.
This symbol the Three Hares could be as simple as this: As the chinese see three (three hares) this could represent spirit, man and sky (EI the trinity: god, jesus, spirit). Since it forms a triangle maybe its a representation of the trinity and being that its placed over a window is just reperesenting that it is a doorway. MAYBE being placed on a church window AND possibly having something to do with the trinity it is symbolizing the gateway to heaven or something....
Anyhow, thats my Idea.
