Dom Pierre Miquel's "Dictionnaire symbolique des animaux: zoologie
mystique"(Le Léopard d'or, 1992) contains the following: Saint Basil
sees in the owl the vanity of human wisdom but also of
nocturnal vigilance; Isidore compares himself with the owl (I watch
and lament); Hugh of St-Vic. sees owl as symbol of Christ, who loves
darkness (sinners), dwells in midst of ruins (Jewish people), and
flees light (vainglory), but screech owl is a "dirty bird," symbol of
the sinner; for Saint Hildegarde owl is a thief; Wm of Normandy calls
owl "image of Jewish people," blinded by sun (Christ); Th. More compared
persecutors of Church with night birds including owls, vampires, bats,
etc. Take your pick! Book is more detailed with good refs to sources.
Kathryn Wildgen
%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%
|