Beasts
Lion
The lion, considered the king of animals, is a noble and powerful creature. It possesses three main characteristics, each carrying its own symbolic meaning: the lion erases its tracks with its tail, symbolizing the way Jesus concealed his divinity, revealing it only to his disciples, the lion sleeps with its eyes open, representing Christ after the crucifixion, dead in the body but still alive in the spirit, the lion revives its cubs with a roar, recalling the gesture of God the Father who restored life to Jesus after three days in the tomb. The parts of the lion possess medicinal and magical powers, capable of healing burns, improving sight, or curing madness and deafness. The lion is a privileged emblem of nobility and courage, depicted in many variations, all of which celebrate its pride and strength.
Tiger
The tiger is a creature of extraordinary speed and strength. For this reason, its name is linked to the Persian term tigris, meaning "arrow." When a man steals a cub, the tiger chases him so swiftly that he could never escape, unless he throws to the ground a glass sphere or a mirror: seeing its own reflection and mistaking it for the cub, the tiger would stop to nurse it, giving the thief time to flee. It is said that the fresh and warm heart of a newly killed tiger can absorb leprosy in its early stages, while improper use would worsen the disease.
Panther
The panther is a gentle and multicolored animal, whose only enemy is the dragon. After feasting, it sleeps for three days, then awakens with a powerful roar and emits a sweet fragrance that attracts all animals, except the dragon. The panther symbolizes Christ, who draws all humanity to himself, while the dragon represents the devil. Its multicolored coat reflects the many virtues of Christ, and its three-day sleep recalls Christ’s death and resurrection. The panther is a symbol of regal virtue and the ability to inspire loyalty.
Wolf
The wolf is described as a cunning and dangerous predator whose power depends on sight: if it sees a man first, the man loses his voice, while if the man sees it first, the wolf loses its ferocity. Wolves sneak into sheepfolds, punish themselves if they make noise, and hunt far from the den to protect their cubs. They have powerful fangs and jaws, eyes that shine in the dark, and a tuft of hair on the tail considered magical. They mate only for a few days each year and display various peculiar traits, such as being unable to produce offspring while their parents are still alive. Allegorically, the wolf represents the devil, who always surrounds the faithful, seduces the foolish with false beauty, never turns to repentance, and can be defeated only by invoking the saints. Some parts of the wolf possess diverse magical and medicinal properties, ranging from love potions to remedies for epilepsy and madness.
Dog
Dogs are creatures inseparable from human beings and are distinguished as guard dogs, hunting dogs, and shepherd dogs. They have the ability to heal wounds by licking them. Numerous stories praise their loyalty, telling of dogs that died of grief after the death of their master. Dogs were also believed to possess magical and healing properties, including the use of puppies as an antidote to poison. Allegorically, dogs represent confession and fragility, symbolizing the healing of sin.
Horse
The horse is a lively and sensitive beast, capable of sensing imminent war, rejoicing in victory, and mourning its dead master. Some horses can recognize enemies in battle, while others will allow themselves to be ridden only by their own rider. Three types are distinguished: noble warhorses, common pack horses, and hybrids. The horse possesses magical and medicinal properties; for example, it is said that the carbuncle appearing on the forehead of newborn foals can be used as an antidote to poisons. Various remedies made from horse blood also exist. /p>
Unicorn
The unicorn is a fierce and extremely fast creature, similar to a horse, with a single long spiraled horn endowed with great magical powers. It is impossible to capture by force; it is said that it can be tamed only by a young maiden, on whose lap it lays its head and falls asleep. In this way, hunters can approach it to capture or kill it. This scene, often depicted in art, combines innocence, seduction, and violence. The unicorn is capable of detecting and neutralizing poisons with its horn and providing medicinal remedies. It is a symbol of Christ, incarnate, betrayed, and put to death.
Ape
The ape, from “simia” due to its resemblance to human beings, is described as an animal that always gives birth to twins, loving one and hating the other, carrying the favored one in its arms and the detested one on its back, only to abandon the beloved during flight from hunters. Known for imitating human actions, it can be captured by exploiting this tendency. It is a filthy beast, whose humors follow the lunar cycle. Allegorically, the ape symbolizes the devil, who imitates evil deeds and leads sinners to hell, and illustrations often depict it with two young or while mimicking human behaviors, sometimes associated with the original sin of Adam and Eve.