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

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

38687

Title

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

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Angelo De Gubernatis explores ancient Aryan mythology where celestial bodies are personified as animals. The text dedicates the cow and bull to Vedic hymns, depicting the sky as a luminous mother and the sun as a heroic bull battling monsters.

Summary up to 500 words

In the first volume of *Zoological Mythology*, Professor Angelo De Gubernatis explores how ancient Aryan cultures conceptualized nature through animal forms, primarily drawing from Vedic literature. The central thesis posits that the vast vault of heaven functions as an infinite, milk-yielding cow, while celestial bodies like the sun and rain are represented by bulls. The narrative focuses on Indra, the supreme bull-god who consumes the 'water of strength' (Soma) to slay serpents and liberate cows trapped in dark clouds. These clouds are depicted as spotted mothers or monstrous entities that must be subdued by wind-bulls and lightning-horns. De Gubernatis extensively details the symbolism of the cow, representing abundance, rain, and the fertile sky, while the bull embodies strength and regal power. He traces these myths from the Vedas to folk tales across Europe, noting striking parallels between Vedic Indra and Greek heroes like Heracles or figures in Russian folklore who defeat wolves using rams or lambs. The author argues that the 'cloud-cow' gives birth to storm winds (Marutas) and clouds (Pibichnayas), creating a dynamic where light forces battle darkness. The work also examines the goat, ram, and sheep, linking them to the moon, night, and specific agricultural cycles. De Gubernatis asserts that these animal myths are not mere fantasies but structured artistic creations found in the Rigveda, organized by poetic hymns rather than arbitrary imagination. Through this comparative approach, the book illustrates how early cultures understood meteorological phenomena—rain, thunder, dawn, and dusk—as dramatic interactions between divine animal figures. The text emphasizes that the sun is often a shepherd-king leading a flock of luminous sheep in the morning, while becoming a dark-colored ram or goat veiled by night. Similarly, the moon is portrayed as a milk-yielding cow or a male bull that discomfits monsters. By analyzing these symbols, De Gubernatis reveals a sophisticated system where natural forces are personified to explain the cycles of day and night, storm and calm, and the provision of life-sustaining rain.

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Categories

• Folklore
• Mythology