This reminded me of the Sarum Processionale for the Rogation Days :"
Praeterea in principio processionis deferatur draco, tribus vexillis rubeis
praecedentibus, secundo loco leo, tertio loco cetera vexilla.......". But on
Ascension Day the order changes with the vanquished dragon (with its long
train having been stoned to a fraction of its original size ?) coming behind
the banners of the lion and the cross.
The Golden Legend :" In some churches and especially in France,the custom
obtains of carying a dragon with a long tail stuffed with straw or some such
material : the first two days it is carried in front of the cross, and the
third day, with the tail empty, behind the cross. The significance of this
is that on the first day, before the Law, and on the second, under the Law,
the devil reigned in this world, but on the third day, the day of grace, he
was expelled from his realm by the passion of Christ."
The Sarum Missal litany for the returm of the procession starts "
Kyrieleyson . Qui precioso sanguine mundum eripuisti de maledicti fauce
draconis ....."
Regards,
Tim
----- Original Message -----
From: Long, Thomas <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Wednesday, August 09, 2000 3:29 AM
Re: Lion symbolism (More!)
> Fast by them stand at Christ's left hand
> the Lion fierce and fell,
> The Dragon bold, that Serpent old,
> that hurried Souls to Hell.
> There also stand, under command,
> Legions of Sprights unclean,
> And hellish Fiends, that are no friends
> to God nor unto Men. (stanza 36)
>
> I searched resources (bestiaries, reproductions of Judgment images, emblem
> books) at Yale's Beinecke, Sterling, and Art/Architecture libraries, but
> couldn't find medieval or patristic analogues for the lion AND the dragon
> restrained beside Christ at the Last Judgment. Am aware of scriptural
> allusions to lion as satanic, of course (1 Pt. 5:8; Daniel in the den; Ps
> 91:13) Any suggestions?
>
> Tom Long
>
>
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