Review article
Animals in the Religions and Mythology of Ancient Peoples (Part 2)
Petar Džaja
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Jozo Grbavac
Magdalena Palić
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Petar Tomšić
Mario Benić
Krešimir Severin
; Faculty of Veterinary Medicine University of Zagreb, Zagreb, Croatia
Abstract
In the second part of this study, the following animals are described as deities, mythical beasts or monsters and hybrids: turtles, goats, crocodiles, weasels, lions, leopards, butterflies, salmon, cats and donkeys. From what is presented we see that ancient peoples in various parts of the world honoured lions most, whether in their original form or in a form with the body parts of humans or other animals (hybrids). The next most worshipped animals after the lion were cats, goats, crocodiles etc. Animals, according to their characteristics, were symbols of immortality and long-life (donkeys), fertility (goats), calmness, peace, patience, stupidity, great variety and fertility (donkeys), or motherhood and fertility (cats).
Keywords
religion; mythology; ancient peoples; hybrids; monsters; oracular animals
Hrčak ID:
295291
URI
Publication date:
15.9.2022.
Visits: 1.643 *