Tradition: Swiss Mythology
Alternative Names: White Hare, White Rabbit of Purgatory
Category: Rabbit
The Myth
An old Swiss legend tells of a farmer who secretly diverted his neighbour’s water supply by digging into its channel. The wrongdoing led to a bitter quarrel and an unjust judgment, leaving the dispute unresolved.
After the farmer’s death, a white hare began appearing at night, reminding people of the injustice he had committed. The apparition continued until the soul of the deceased farmer was redeemed from purgatory.
The tale presents the white hare as a supernatural reminder of wrongdoing that remains unsettled even after death. Its repeated appearances connect the natural world with the fate of the dead, suggesting that injustice must ultimately be acknowledged and atoned for before a troubled soul can find release.
Sources
“Werwolf Born” (Werewolf of Born). SAGEN.at. https://www.sagen.at/texte/sagen/schweiz/solothurn/Werwolf_Born.html