The March Hare (Bentley)
Scottish Country Dance Instruction
THE MARCH HARE (R3x32) 3C set Michael Ross Bentley Red Thistle Dances1- 8 1s cross RH, cast down 1 place 2s+1s+3s set and 1s turn LH to face 1st corners
9-16 1s dance 'Hello-Goodbye' setting and end turning RH to 2nd place own sides facing out
17-24 1s dance out and chase clockwise to 2nd place opposite sides while 2M+3L change places RH then 2L+3M change places RH; 1s dance ½ reels of 3 on sides, LSh to 1st corner position to start
25-32 1s dance ½ LSh reels of 3 across (LSh to 3rd corner position to start) ending in 2nd place own sides; 1s turn RH and cast to 3rd place. 231
(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)
Keith Rose's Crib Diagrams
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The March Hare (Bentley) - Scottish Country Dancing Instruction VideoDance Information
Also see the dance March Hare (Boyd) by Iain Boyd.The March Hare originates from the observation of the European brown hare (Lepus europaeus) during its breeding season, which starts in early spring, often around March.
Hares are known for their unusual and seemingly erratic behaviours during this time, such as leaping, chasing each other, and engaging in "boxing" matches. These actions, often between males and females, occur as part of their courtship rituals. The phrase "mad as a March hare" arose to describe this frenzied activity, symbolising wild and unpredictable behaviour.
In literature, the March Hare is best known as a character in Lewis Carroll's "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland", published in 1865. In the story, the March Hare hosts the chaotic and nonsensical Mad Tea Party alongside the Mad Hatter and the Dormouse. True to the phrase, the March Hare displays erratic and whimsical behaviour, contributing to the surreal atmosphere of Wonderland. Carroll's use of the March Hare draws on its cultural association with madness, making it a fitting character for the topsy-turvy world he created.
Beyond its literary appearance, the March Hare is also a symbol in English folklore and popular culture. It represents eccentricity, unpredictability, and the arrival of spring. The phrase "mad as a March hare" has become a common idiom.
March Hare
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