MAD AS A MARCH HARE BLOG
Wednesday 5 March 2025
A character most famous for appearing in the tea party scene in Lewis Carrol’s 1865 book Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
In Irish Folklore the hare is often associated with magic and mystery. They are said to have the ability to shape-shift into human form!
Legend tells us that Oisin, the great Celtic warrior, was said to have wounded a hare in the leg whilst out hunting. The hare ran off into the undergrowth to escape and Oisin made chase only to discover a woman there, nursing a cut on her leg!
Most ancient people believed the Irish hare is one of the oldest symbols of the countryside dating back to the age of the Celts when it was seen as the symbol of fertility and prosperity. A Medieval symbol often depicted in coats of arms and other heraldic symbols.
Unlike their Northern hemisphere cousin’s the Irish hare can be found at sea level and on the top of our mountains. The Irish hare (Lepus Timidus Hibernicus) is an endemic sub-species of the artic hare and due to Ireland’s mild climate and lack of white covering the landscape the local hares keep a brown coat all winter long!
Although hares and rabbits are in the same family they are different species. Their strong visible identity being their long front legs and long ears!
The big question – is 1st March, or the Vernal Equinox or St Brigid’s Day the start of Spring?
In Ireland it’s all of them
March is the mating season of hares when “mad March hares” are often seen boxing. These brown hares are famous for their energetic behaviour and during the month of March in particular they are known to “box” frantically with one another. These “mad March hares” do this because they are in their mating season, with the males seeking out any females. This fighting is not males fighting over females but females fighting of unwanted males!
The symbol of the Irish Hare was once used on the Threepence coinage of Ireland and today traditional jewellery etc often have the symbol of the Irish hare.
If you should meet a March Hare remember treat them with respect – they have contacts in the Otherworld.
Enjoy Spring 2025
Share this on facebook