ODNOSI SLOVENSKIH ELEMENATA I HRIŠĆANSKIH SIMBOLA U SREDNJOVEKOVNOM FIZIOLOGU

Abstract

in this paper, we will attempt to show how the transcription of the medieval Physiologist establishes slovenian elements as the remains of pagan beliefs (in the form of symbolism, or rituals and cults), versus christian symbols which take over their nature reshaping them into the symbols of religious and moral lessons. we shall investigate how the relation of virtue-sin is established on the basis of specific examples that appear in the form of allegorical stories about animals, plants and rocks in medieval literature. Given the time of the origin of bestiary, we will have in mind that there are examples of ancient mythology in Physiologist, which we shall regard as belonging to the group of fantastic animals appearing in Physiologist, as well as of animals that do not belong to the territory of slavonic people (i.e. exotic animals). hence, the symbols of this type will be shown in the universality of their symbolism applied to christian lessons with special emphasis on the aesthetic principle of the phenomena of fantastic animals. The aim of this study is the overview of a structured analysis of meaningful allegorical segments and ways in which moral and didactic tendencies of Physiologist are developed in the light of slavonic mythological and folk tradition for the purpose of christian religion and its teachings.