Zoomorphism
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Zoomorphism, from the Greek ζωον (zōon), meaning animal, and μορφη (morphē), meaning shape or form. It is defined as:
- The representation of deities as animals or the attributing of animal characteristics to them.
- The use of animal figures in art and design or of animal symbols in literature.
- The viewing of human behavior in terms of the behavior of animals.
- Fenrisulfr, an ancient Norse god in the shape of a wolf.
- Airavata, the king god of elephants in Indian mythology.
- Clawfoot bathtub, with feet in the shape of a lion's paws.
- The common representation of the Holy Spirit as a dove in Christianity.
- Luke as a lion in Christianity.
- A literary phrase such as "The roar of the ocean".
Zoomorphism is often mistaken for anthropomorphism, or the act of attributing human qualities to non-human things, while in fact, zoomorphism can often be better described as "the act of attributing animal qualities to non animal things".
Zoomorphic Pictures [1]