Animals Quote by David C. Lindberg
““From the same twelfth-century bestiary, we learn that the hedgehog is covered with spikes and curls itself into a ball for protection; that the fox is a 'fraudulent and ingenious animal' that plays dead in order to catch its prey; that cranes move about in military formation; that the serpent called 'basilisk' can with the power of its glance; that the lynx's urine turns into a precious stone; that lions are compassionate and courageous, and that the eyebrows and manes offer a clue to their disposition. Finally, many (but not all) entries go on to draw a moral or make a theological point on the basis of the animal description. The hedgehog is an example of prudence, the crane of courtesy and responsibility. The fox is employed as a type of the devil, who entices carnal man through fraudulent behavior. And the male lion, breathing life into its stillborn offspring after three days, represents God the Father raising Christ from the dead.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Nature of Nature: A History of the Study of the Physical World, 2008
The passage illustrates how medieval bestiaries used animal traits to teach moral and theological lessons, assigning symbolic meanings to each creature.
In simple terms: Animals were used as moral symbols in medieval texts.
Key Takeaway
Recognize symbolic meanings behind stories.
Themes
symbolism
morality
theology
medieval literature
animal allegory
Mood
reflective
educational
Type
didactic
historical
When to use this quote
- teaching ethics
- religious instruction
- literary analysis
- cultural history
Key Concepts
allegory
didacticism
anthropomorphism
Questions to Reflect On
- What moral lessons can we draw from animal symbols today?
- How do cultural contexts shape symbolic meanings?
A Different Perspective
Modern readers may miss the nuanced theological context.
