medieval-religion: Scholarly discussions of medieval religion and culture
>> Nancy is no doubt correct in suggesting an elephant.
The image rings a distant bell, but I cannot now remember
the significance. The key will be the Physiologus ... <<
many thanks bill, i will look in white's bestiarium!
mata
___ .
mata kimasitayo
kimasita(at)bloomington.in.us
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non ridere, non lugere,
neque detestari, sed intelligere.
-- b. spinoza
(tractatus politicus, cap. I, par. 4)
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----- Original Message -----
From: Bill East
To: [log in to unmask]
Sent: Monday, March 15, 2004 3:11 AM
Subject: Re: [M-R] RE Monday, March 15, 2004 12:04 AM
RE [M-R] wood sculpture in breme...
--- Nancy Spies <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> yes, thanks nancy. and if an elephant (scil. somewhat
> fabulous to the carver) then why an elephant? why
> should such an object be in a cathedral? could it
> depict a biblical event/episode?
Nancy is no doubt correct in suggesting an elephant. The image rings a
distant bell, but I cannot now remember the significance. The key will
be the Physiologus, the medieval text assigning moral and religious
significances to the various animals, fabulous and real. There is a
popular translation, T.H. White, "The Book of Beasts" and I am pretty
sure that this will answer your question.
To mention some of the 'significatio' of the elephant which I do
remember: As everyone knows, an elephant has no knees. Therefore the
hunter cuts halfway through a tree. The elephant leans against the
tree, which snaps, and the elephant falls over. The elephant (having,
as aforesaid, no knees) cannot get up by itself. So a group of twelve
elephants gathers around and tries to lift it, but they cannot. Then a
small solitary elephant comes along and easily lifts the fallen beast
back onto its feet.
The fallen elephant represents fallen mankind, deceived by the wily
hunter (Satan) and the tree in the Garden of Eden. The twelve elephants
who try unsuccessfully to raise it are the prophets, signifying the Old
Testament. The small elephant is of course Christ, who raises fallen
mankind and restores it to its former dignity.
This story is from the Physiologus; the story you want will be there
too, I promise you.
Bill.
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