Bestiaries – Definition & Meaning

Bestiaries are ancient texts that contain descriptions and illustrations of various animals, both real and mythical. These texts were popular in medieval Europe and were often used to teach moral lessons and religious symbolism. In this article, we will explore the definition, origin, and meaning of bestiaries.

Definitions

A bestiary is a collection of stories or descriptions of animals, typically accompanied by illustrations. It is a type of medieval literature that was popular in the Middle Ages. Bestiaries were often used to teach moral lessons and religious symbolism, and they were written in Latin, the language of the Church.

Origin

Bestiaries have their roots in ancient Greek and Roman texts that described animals and their characteristics. These texts were later adapted by Christian writers in the Middle Ages to incorporate religious symbolism and moral lessons. The first known bestiary was written in the 2nd century AD by a Greek author named Philostratus.

Meaning in different dictionaries

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, a bestiary is “a medieval manuscript describing and illustrating various animals, usually with a moral or allegorical interpretation.” The Oxford English Dictionary defines a bestiary as “a collection of stories about animals, often with a moral or religious lesson.”

Associations

Bestiaries are often associated with medieval art and literature, as they were frequently illustrated with intricate drawings and paintings. They are also associated with religious symbolism and moral lessons, as many of the animals described in bestiaries were used to teach virtues and vices.

Synonyms

Some synonyms for bestiaries include zoologies, animal encyclopedias, and animal lore.

Antonyms

There are no direct antonyms for bestiaries, as they are a unique type of literature.

The same root words

The word “bestiary” comes from the Latin word “bestia,” which means “beast” or “animal.” Other words that share this root include “beastly,” “bestial,” and “beastliness.”

Example Sentences

1. The medieval bestiary was a popular form of literature that combined religious symbolism with descriptions of animals.
2. The illustrations in the bestiary were incredibly detailed and often included fantastical creatures like griffins and unicorns.
3. The bestiary was used as a teaching tool to help people understand the moral lessons behind each animal’s description.
4. Many of the animals in the bestiary were used to represent virtues or vices, such as the lion symbolizing courage and the serpent symbolizing deceit.
5. The bestiary was an important part of medieval culture and has influenced art and literature to this day.