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Christian Symbolism in a
Bestiary
A Bestiary was a medieval
book (usually illustrated) with allegorical descriptions of
real and fabled animals. These descriptions, which included
a description of various birds and animals, were often full
of symbolism and contained a moral or religious lesson or
allegory. A Bestiary reflected the belief that the world
itself was the Word of God, and that every living creature
had its own special meaning.
The 12th Century
Bestiary
Bestiaries were extremely popular in England during the 12th
century and were often compilations taken from even earlier
texts dating back to the second century, which summarized
ancient knowledge and wisdom about animals together with
religious, Christian symbolism. A very famous man of the
renaissance era who compiled his own bestiary was no other
than Leonardo da Vinci. Another famous medieval book of this
type is the Aberdeen Bestiary which was written in the 12th
Century which contained general information together with
religious allegories and morals.
Bestiary Religious
Symbolism and Allegory
Bestiary Religious Symbolism and Allegory are detailed in
the following sections:
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