Zoological Mythology; or, The Legends of Animals, Volume 1 (of 2)

Name: Zoological Mythology; or, The Legends of Animals, Volume 1 (of 2)
Author: Angelo De Gubernatis

By Angelo De Gubernatis

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Mythology, Legends & Folklore

About This Book

The author traces the legendary and symbolic roles of animals in ancient thought, beginning with a detailed reading of Vedic hymns that present the sky as a luminous cow and its generative bull-figures, and then interprets related images—the moon, dawn, thunder, and wind—through pastoral metaphors and triadic motifs. Drawing on hymnic quotations and comparative evidence, the study reconstructs how natural phenomena, ritual ideals, and social pastoral life shaped animal imagery, and shows recurring themes such as fertility, cosmic parenthood, heroic recovery of stolen cattle, and the transformation of celestial phenomena into animal metaphors.

About the Author

Angelo De Gubernatis

Angelo De Gubernatis was an Italian writer, scholar, and naturalist known for his contributions to the fields of zoology and mythology. He is particularly recognized for his seminal work, "Zoological Mythology; or, The Legends of Animals," which explores the connections between animal symbolism and mythological narratives across cultures. De Gubernatis also engaged with literary criticism and biographical studies, as seen in his work on Alessandro Manzoni. His interests extended to comparative studies of cultural practices, including marriage customs among Indo-European peoples. Through his diverse writings, he sought to bridge the gap between science and the humanities, leaving a lasting impact on both disciplines.