Bestiary: meaning, definitions and examples
๐
bestiary
[ หbษstษชหษri ]
collection of animals
A bestiary is a compendium of animals, both real and mythical, often accompanied by descriptions, illustrations, and moral lessons. Traditionally, bestiaries served as both educational and entertaining texts, revealing the characteristics of various creatures and their significance in the medieval worldview. They were popular in the Middle Ages and were often illuminated with intricate artwork that depicted the animals described within. Bestiaries reflect the cultural attitudes and beliefs of the time, serving to educate people about animals and their symbolic meanings, often linking them to human virtues or vices.
Synonyms
animal anthology, wildlife catalog, zoological compendium
Examples of usage
- The medieval bestiary was filled with fascinating creatures.
- In the bestiary, unicorns symbolized purity and grace.
- Scholars study bestiaries to understand medieval thought.
- The artist illustrated a bestiary with vibrant colors.
Translations
Translations of the word "bestiary" in other languages:
๐ต๐น bestรกrio
๐ฎ๐ณ เคชเคถเฅ เคตเคฟเคเฅเคเคพเคจ
๐ฉ๐ช Bestiar
๐ฎ๐ฉ bestiar
๐บ๐ฆ ะฑะตัััะฐััะน
๐ต๐ฑ bestiariusz
๐ฏ๐ต ใในใใฃใขใชใผ
๐ซ๐ท bestiary
๐ช๐ธ bestiario
๐น๐ท bestiyer
๐ฐ๐ท ๋ฒ ์คํฐ์ด๋ฆฌ
๐ธ๐ฆ ุจุณุชูุงุฑ
๐จ๐ฟ bestiรกล
๐ธ๐ฐ bestiรกr
๐จ๐ณ ๅจ็ฉๅฟ
๐ธ๐ฎ bestiarij
๐ฎ๐ธ bestiary
๐ฐ๐ฟ ะฑะตััะธะฐัะธะน
๐ฌ๐ช แแแกแขแแแ แ
๐ฆ๐ฟ bestiar
๐ฒ๐ฝ bestiario
Word origin
The term 'bestiary' originates from the Latin word 'bestiarium', which itself is derived from 'bestia', meaning 'beast'. This concept can be traced back to ancient civilizations, including the Greeks and Romans, where animals were often depicted in philosophical and allegorical texts. However, it was during the medieval period that the bestiary truly flourished. In the Middle Ages, bestiaries served not only as natural histories but also as moral and spiritual guides, often blending fact and fiction. The bestiary genre was heavily influenced by earlier texts such as 'Physiologus', a Greek text from the second century AD that presented allegorical accounts of animals. Over the centuries, these illustrated volumes became treasured manuscripts, meticulously copied and adorned by scribes and artists, reflecting both the scientific curiosity and the symbolic thinking of the time. The bestiary's legacy continues in literature and art, representing humanity's fascination with the natural world.