First, let’s clear up a common confusion: hares and rabbits are not the same. While they may look similar, hares are generally larger, with longer legs and ears, and live more solitary, wild lives. Unlike the burrowing rabbit, the hare is a creature of open fields and sudden, lightning-fast movement. This alone gives it a unique aura—wild, free, and unpredictable. These traits help explain why the hare has captured human imagination for so long. It is both visible and elusive, grounded and otherworldly. This dual nature makes the hare a potent spiritual symbol across a wide range of traditions. 

One of the most enduring spiritual associations is between the hare and the moon. In many cultures, the shapes seen in the full moon are interpreted not as a “man in the moon,” but as a hare. In Chinese mythology, for example, the Moon Rabbit is said to live on the moon with the goddess Chang’e, where it constantly mixes the elixir of immortality. In Hindu stories, a noble hare throws itself into a fire to feed a starving man—who is actually a god in disguise. Moved by the hare’s selflessness, the god honors it by placing it in the moon for all to see. In Celtic and British traditions, the hare was also closely linked to lunar cycles. Its nocturnal habits and seasonal appearances tied it to the rhythms of the moon and, by extension, to feminine energy, intuition, and renewal. 

Perhaps the most obvious symbolism of the hare is fertility. Hares are prolific breeders, capable of giving birth to multiple litters a year. In pre-Christian Europe, this made them sacred to goddesses of spring and renewal, like Eostre, the Germanic goddess of dawn and rebirth (from whose name we get the word "Easter"). This link between the hare and the resurrection of life each spring is still subtly present in today’s Easter celebrations, where the “Easter Bunny” hides eggs—symbols of new life. Long before chocolate eggs and pastel baskets, the hare represented the miracle of life returning after winter's long sleep. In spiritual terms, this makes the hare a sign of transformation and hope. It reminds us that no matter how dark or dormant a time may seem, growth and renewal are always possible. 

But the hare’s spiritual symbolism doesn’t stop at new life and fertility. In many cultures, the hare plays the role of the trickster—a figure who uses intelligence, illusion, or mischief to navigate challenges. In African folklore, the hare often outwits more powerful animals, much like the fox or coyote in other traditions. This trickster side adds complexity to the hare’s spiritual meaning. It isn’t just a soft, gentle creature of springtime. It also represents the cunning mind, the playful spirit, and the liminal space between rules and freedom. Interestingly, this aligns with many spiritual paths that value paradox and the embrace of opposites. The hare is both prey and power, visible and invisible, feminine and mysterious. It suggests that spiritual truth is rarely one-sided and often hides in the in-between. 

In shamanic traditions, animals are often seen as spirit guides—messengers from the deeper realms of consciousness. The hare’s sudden appearances, elusive movements, and nighttime activity make it a classic figure of the “otherworld.” To encounter a hare on a walk in the woods or a dream can feel like a message, a sign that you are stepping into a liminal space. It may be a call to pay attention, to listen inward, or to be ready for sudden change. Just as the hare darts unexpectedly from the underbrush, life’s spiritual awakenings often come without warning. In British and Celtic folklore, witches were once believed to shapeshift into hares to escape danger or move unseen. This added a layer of both fear and reverence to the hare’s reputation. It wasn’t just a wild animal—it was a spiritual being, possibly even a transformed human, deserving of awe. 

In our modern world of constant noise and distraction, the hare invites us to tune into quieter rhythms—the cycles of the moon, the whispers of the subconscious, the subtle changes in our own lives. Seeing the hare as a spiritual symbol can encourage us to:  

Trust our intuition: Like the hare, we often sense danger or opportunity before it fully appears. Listening to those inner signals is a kind of spiritual intelligence. 

Embrace transformation: Whether it’s a new season, a new phase of life, or a sudden personal insight, the hare reminds us that change is natural and often leads to growth. 

Find strength in vulnerability: Hares are prey animals, but they survive through awareness, speed, and sensitivity. There’s a spiritual lesson in knowing that we don’t have to dominate in order to thrive. 

Stay playful and present: The trickster hare shows that spirituality isn’t always solemn. Joy, humor, and spontaneity are also sacred paths.