Raptors
Griffin
The griffin is a beast with the body of a lion and the head and wings of an eagle, often depicted as a powerful predator. It is said to inhabit remote regions, moving only to hunt. Griffins are enemies of horses and lions, capable of tearing men apart or carrying them to their nests to feed their young, and they are strong enough to lift entire oxen. They are also associated with the excavation of gold in mines. Lions are said to attack griffin eggs whenever they can, highlighting the natural enmity between the two animals.
Hawk
The hawk is a small but courageous bird, known for its determination and skill in capturing prey from other birds, earning it the nickname of thief. As a strict parent, it forces its young to learn to hunt by withholding food and striking them with its wings, ensuring they become self-sufficient. Hawks are distinguished as wild, which prey on domestic birds, and tamed, which return their prey to their master. They renew their feathers by warming themselves in the wind or flapping their wings to shed the old ones. Allegorically, this process symbolizes spiritual renewal, with the old life being abandoned through the touch of the spirit. The hawk’s bile is believed to strengthen vision.
Phoenix
The phoenix is a legendary bird associated with renewal and resurrection. It is said to live for hundreds of years before building a pyre of wood and spices to be consumed by fire. From the ashes, a new bird is born, giving life once more to the phoenix. Its story symbolizes the death and resurrection of Christ and, more generally, the resurrection of the righteous, showing through nature that life can be reborn after death.
Crow
Crows are long-lived and monogamous birds, known for their dedication in raising and guiding their young. Their call is considered an omen of rain and a means of predicting events; it is also believed that they can reveal ambushes. Crows compete with owls and display great cunning when feeding on carcasses. Allegorically, crows symbolize duty and parental care, serving as a moral example for humans, in contrast to the cruelty and neglect that humans sometimes show toward their own children, highlighting the unnaturalness of human lack of care compared to animal devotion.
Owl
The owl is a nocturnal, dirty, and lazy bird, which prefers darkness and often lives in ruins, tombs, and caves, polluting its own nest. It is said that some owls cry when they are about to die. There are various species, including the night owl, the barn owl, and the tawny owl. Allegorically, the owl often represents those who reject Christ or live in sin, while the night owl can symbolize Christ or the righteous who avoid vanity and human praise. Owl meat can be used as a remedy against paralysis.