Bonjour Yohann,
Yeah, my estimate of 65% was VERY conservative.
Like rugs, paintings contained a lot of symbols. Eagles, lions and thrones are normally associated with power. Long-legged birds, I don’t know.
Let’s have a look at your Bestiary which is very interesting, by the way, thanks for the link.
Here is what I (quickly) found:
Herons - The white feathers signify purity
Lion - Thus our Saviour, a spiritual lion, of the tribe of Judah, the root of Jesse, the son of David, concealed the traces of his love in heaven until, sent by his father, he descended into the womb of the Virgin Mary and redeemed mankind, which was lost.
Eagle - The word 'eagle' in the Holy Scriptures signifies sometimes evil spirits, ravishers of souls; sometimes the rulers of this world. Sometimes, in contrast, it signifies either the acute understanding of the saints, or the Lord incarnate flying swiftly over the depths then seeking once more the heights.
The word 'eagle' represents those who lie in ambush for the spirit. This is confirmed by Jeremiah, who says: 'Our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of the heaven' (Lamentations, 4:19). For our persecutors are swifter than the eagles of heaven when wicked men do such things against us that they seem to exceed the very rulers of the air in their evil machinations.
The word 'eagle' also symbolises earthly power. Ezekiel says with reference to this: 'A great eagle with broad wings and long limbs, in full plumage, richly patterned, came to Lebanon. It took away the marrow of a cedar-tree, it plucked the highest foliage' (see Ezekiel, 17:3-4).
The usual problem with symbols – especially with the ones in rugs
- is that they have so numerous meanings that is difficult to establish which one is the right one.
Regards,
Filiberto