The symbol of three hares chasing each other in a circle, their ears forming a triangle at the centre of the motif has been found in Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Christian iconography. The Three Hares Project has been researching the way in which the motif has travelled through the ages and accross continents probably via textiles traded on the Silk Road. It is seen in China on the ceilings of the Buddhist cave temples at Dunhuang (6th-9th centuries),on a 12th century copper coin found in Iran,a !4th century floor tile from Chester Cathedral and in medieval stained glass in the church at Long Melford in Suffolk. It also appears on the roof bosses of many Devon churches and these are documented at: http://www.chrischapmanphotography.com/hares.htm.
You can listen to the radio programme on the subject at: http://db.bbc.co.uk/radio4/science/hares.shtml
