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The three hares is a circular motif appearing in sacred sites from the Middle and Far East to the churches of Devon, England (as the "Tinners' Rabbits"), and historical synagogues in Europe. It is used as an architectural ornament, a religious symbol, and in other modern works of art〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Miniature sculptures of Tinners' Rabbits, ca. 1300) )〕 or a logo for adornment (including tattoos),〔Celtic knot (Tattoo: border encircling Triple knotwork Hares by "WildSpiritWolf". )〕 jewelry and a coat of arms on an escutcheon.〔The "three hares motif from a window of the Paderborn cathedral cloister (Unity and Trinity as a symbol of the Trinity, the central mystery of faith of the Catholic Church and the whole of Christendom)." Coat of Arms, Bishop Paul Werner Scheele, Bischof von Würzburg 1979–2003. ''See'' Ecclesiastical heraldry.〕 It is viewed as a puzzle, a topology problem or a visual challenge, and has been rendered as sculpture, drawing, and painting. The symbol features three hares or rabbits chasing each other in a circle. Like the triskelion,〔 the triquetra, and their antecedents (e.g., the triple spiral), the symbol of the three hares has a threefold rotational symmetry. Each of the ears is shared by two hares, so that only three ears are shown. Although its meaning is apparently not explained in contemporary written sources from any of the medieval cultures where it is found, it is thought to have a range of symbolic or mystical associations with fertility and the lunar cycle. When used in Christian churches, it is presumed to be a symbol of the Trinity. Its origins and original significance are uncertain, as are the reasons why it appears in such diverse locations.〔 That the image's meaning changes depending upon the context and the viewer could be characterized as being analogous to pareidolia;〔 its widespread appeal may be characterized as being a meme. ==Origins in Buddhism and diffusion on the Silk Road== The earliest occurrences appear to be in cave temples in China, dated to the Sui dynasty (6th to 7th centuries).〔〔(/news18/idpnews_18.a4d International Dunhuang Project Newsletter No. 18. ''The Travels of the Three Rabbits: Shared Iconography Across the Silk Road'' ). 〕 The iconography spread along the Silk Road,〔(Whitfield, Susan, ''The Silk Road: trade, travel, war and faith'', p. 290. ) London: The British Library. ISBN 1-932476-13-X; ISBN 978-1-932476-13-2.〕 and was a symbol associated with Buddhism.〔 The hares have been said to be "A hieroglyph of 'to be'." In other contexts the metaphor has been given different meaning. For example, Guan Youhui, a retired researcher from the Dunhuang Academy, who spent 50 years studying the decorative patterns in the Mogao Caves, believes the three rabbits—"like many images in Chinese folk art that carry auspicious symbolism—represent peace and tranquility."〔 ''See'' Aurel Stein. The hares have appeared in Lotus motifs.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=The Silk Road )〕 The Three Hares appear on 13th century Mongol metalwork, and on a copper coin, found in Iran, dated to 1281.〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=The Three Hares )〕〔(【引用サイトリンク】 title=The Three Hares )〕 Another appears on an ancient Islamic-made reliquary from southern Russia. Another 13th or early 14th century box, later used as a reliquary, was made in Iran under Mongol rule, and is preserved in the treasury of the Cathedral of Trier in Germany. On its base, the casket has Islamic designs, and originally featured two images of the three hares. One was lost through damage. One theory pertaining to the spread of the motif is that it was transported from China across Asia and as far as the south west of England by merchants travelling the silk road and that the motif was transported via designs found on expensive Oriental ceramics. This view is supported by the early date of the surviving occurrences in China. However the majority of representations of the three hares in churches occur in England and northern Germany. This supports a contrary view that the Three Hares occurred independently as English or early German symbols.〔〔〔 Some claim that the Devon name, Tinners' Rabbits, is related to local tin miners adopting it. The mines generated wealth in the region and funded the building and repair of many local churches, and thus the symbol may have been used as a sign of the miners' patronage. The architectural ornament of the Three Hares also occurs in churches that are unrelated to the miners of South West England. Other occurrences in England include floor tiles at Chester Cathedral, stained glass at Long Melford, Suffolk〔At the Holy Trinity Church, Long Melford, above the northern door, is a small stained glass roundel, only a few inches in diameter. (【引用サイトリンク】title=The three hares window: a medieval mystery )〕 and a ceiling in Scarborough, Yorkshire.〔 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「three hares」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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