[Ansteorra] honor and animals

[Hugh & Belinda Niewoehner]

Ritter Dieterich Kempenich von Eltz:

> Animals do not have a sense of honor; you are confusing, among other traits,
> loyalty with honor.

Sir,

I do not think that Her Grace is trying to say that any animal has a 
sense of honor.  Medieval mind sets, however, used symbolism of certain 
traits or behaviors of animals to represent virtues and vices of 
humans.  (At the risk of starting another tread, I don't make 
assumptions as to what emotions, etc. animals have since I can not 
communicate with them in their language.  I've seen cats appear to be 
embarrassed which means they have some form of self esteem.  I've seen 
animals grieve, show affection, etc. Being a fan of Ender's Game, I try 
not to judge other species quickly).

But back to the point of this discussion, if you read my previous post, 
the people of the Middle Ages would see a certain behavior or trait in 
an animal as a characteristic of a human's virtue.

 From the same source:

A peculiarity of the wolf is that it cannot turn its head, because there 
is no joint in its neck, but must turn its whole body
when it wishes to look behind, thus symbolizing people stiff-necked and 
stubborn in sin.

That does not mean wolves are stiff necked and stubborn--mine was a 
sweetie, but she could not just look over her back, but had to turn at 
least her front half around to see behind her. 

Another example:

The cock typifies both vigilance and liberality, because it is always on 
the watch, and when
it finds anything, it does not eat it, but calls the hens together and 
divides it among them.

I think this is an interesting study and might make people think about 
what they choose for their arms.  What we think of as a marvelous 
creature to represent us might not have the same meaning to the Medieval 
mind.

Thanks Your Grace Willow for bringing it up.

Ismet