Fish-shaped door handle from Germany, an example of a zoomorphic artwork
The word zoomorphism derives from Ancient Greek: ζωον, romanized: zōon, lit. 'animal' and Ancient Greek: μορφη, romanized: morphē, lit. 'form; shape'. In the context of art, zoomorphism could describe art that imagines humans as non-human animals.[1] It can also be defined as art that portrays one species of animal like another species of animal or art that uses animals as a visual motif, sometimes referred to as "animal style." In ancient Egyptian religion, deities were depicted in animal form which is an example of zoomorphism in not only art but in a religious context.[2] It is also similar to the term therianthropy; which is the ability to shape shift into animal form,[3] except that with zoomorphism the animal form is applied to a physical object. It means to attribute animal forms or animal characteristics to other animals, or things other than an animal; similar to but broader than anthropomorphism. Contrary to anthropomorphism, which views animal or non-animal behavior in human terms, zoomorphism is the tendency of viewing human behavior in terms of the behavior of animals. It is also used in literature to portray the act of humans or objects with animalistic behavior or features. The use of zoomorphism served as a decorative element to objects that are typically quite simple in shape and design.
The appearance of the Holy Spirit like a dove in the New Testament (The Gospel According to Luke 3: 22), "and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form like a dove..."
The names of the two most prominent Hebrew Bible female prophets - Deborah and Huldah - were in the Babylonian Talmud interpreted in zoomorphic terms as "wasp" and "weasel."[4]
Zoomorphic language for things, ideas
A literary phrase such as "The roar of the ocean".
Waterwolf, a Dutch terminology for the tendency of bodies of water in low-lying land to grow larger over time, causing death, loss of livestock and loss of land.
Incense Burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, dated A.H. 577/ A.D. 1181–82, created by Ja`far ibn Muhammad ibn `Ali, made of bronze; cast, engraved, chased, pierced, H: 33 1/2 in. L: 32 1/2 in. W: 9 in.[7]
One example of a zoomorphic object is the incense burner of Amir Saif al-Dunya wa’l-Din ibn Muhammad al-Mawardi, today located at the Metropolitan Museum in New York.Incense burners were common objects for zoomorphic forms that served as a container for aromatic material to be burned.[8] This particular object comes from the Seljuq period in Iran.[9] It is made of bronze, meaning it was a more expensive object as metalwork incense burners cost more to produce and were less common than other productions made of clay or soft stones.[10] The work is meant to depict a lion or large cat. The artist plays with the anatomical elements of the body to fit the use for burning incense. Around the base of neck shows the area where the head is designed to be removed for the insertion of coal and incense.[11] Throughout the body small holes were punctured for the release of the smoke. This object would have been found in a domestic space due to the animal-like imagery.
Bird-shaped oil lamp, dated late 12th-early 13th century, made of bronze; cast, engraved, inlaid with silver and copper, H: 8 in. L: 9 3/8 in. W: 11 13/16 in.[12]
Another example of zoomorphism in Islamic art is the bird-shaped oil lamp, located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The oil lamp would have been used as an everyday object in a domestic space as well. The handle of the lamp is depicted by the head and neck of the bird. The body takes the form of the base of the lamp where oil can be poured in the small opening. The artist uses the form of the bird to utilize the lamp either hanging or resting. There are keyholes on either side of the body for the lamp to be hung by a chain and the flat base allows for the lamp to be placed on any smooth surface.[13] The similarities between the incense burner and the lamp demonstrate how zoomorphism was used throughout Islamic culture.
Dagger with Zoomorphic Hilt, dated to the second half 16th century, Hilt made of copper; cast, chased, gilded, and inlaid with rubies, Blade made of steel; forged, L: 15 5/8 in.[14]
Zoomorphism appears on objects beyond household items. An example of this is the Dagger with Zoomorphic Hilt also located at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. The hilt or handle of the dagger merges into the shape of a dragon attacking a lion who is performing the same act onto a deer. Each attacking animal is connected by its claws and teeth to form the handle. The inclusion of Persian and Indian symbols of power was common in zoomorphic imagery on hilts of daggers.[15] In this dagger there is a figure of a bird in front of the deer who is meant to represent the Indian deity Garuda.[16] Due to the intricate design and craftsmanship of this dagger, it would most likely not have been used for the purposes of a weapon, but rather as a ceremonial object.[17] Many of the weapons included in Islamic art served as symbols for power and wealth.[18]
Robotic pets, like AIBO, modeled on dogs or other animals
In 2010 city planners from Southern Sudan, which would become independent a year later, unveiled plans for the city center of its capital, Juba, to be built in the shape of a rhinoceros. The city of Wau was to be transformed in the shape of a giraffe.[19]
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Zoomorphism.
^Werness, Hope B. (2004). The Continuum encyclopedia of animal symbolism in art. New York: Continuum. ISBN0-8264-1525-3. OCLC52838305.
^Najovits, Simson R. (2004). Egypt, trunk of the tree : a modern survey of an ancient land. Vol. II, The consequences, how Egypt became the trunk of the tree. New York: Algora Pub. ISBN0-585-49235-2. OCLC54540012.
^Dunwich, Gerina. (1997). Wicca A to Z : a modern witch's encyclopedia. Secaucus, N.J.: Carol Pub. Group. ISBN0-8065-1930-4. OCLC37154859.
^Scheuer, Blaženka (2017). "Animal Names for Hebrew Bible Female Prophets". Literature and Theology. 31 (4): 455–471. doi:10.1093/litthe/frx032.
^Synthesis: bulletin du Comité national de littérature comparée / Comitetul Național pentru Literatură Comparată, Institutul de Istorie și Teorie Literară "G. Călinescu." - 2002 "Sin is personified as (an animal?) which "crouches" at the door of Cain (Gen 4:7). As Gerhard von Rad (Genesis, 105) remarks, 'The comparison of sin with a beast of prey lying before the door is strange, as is the purely decorative use "
^William Ickes, Compatible and Incompatible Relationships, Springer Verlag, 1985, p.26
^Mageur, Sterenn Le (2010). "Typology of incense-burners of the Islamic period". Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies. 41: 173–185. JSTOR41622131.
^Maguer, Sterenn Le (2010). "Typology of incense-burners of the Islamic period". Proceedings of the Seminar for Arabian Studies. 41: 182. JSTOR41622131.
