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    Tables – 10 less known symbols from the middle ages



    Visual SymbolDescription
    1. GryllusThis symbol depicts a grotesque, comical figure with body parts arranged in an unnatural manner. During the Middle Ages, the Gryllus was a symbol of the irrational nature of man.
    2. Vesica PiscisAn almond-shaped figure formed by overlapping circles, often containing images of important Christian figures or scenes. This symbol, while common in medieval art, is not widely recognized today.
    3. OuroborosAn ancient symbol of a snake or a dragon swallowing its own tail, illustrating cyclicality and the eternal return. Even if it’s origin dates back much earlier, it was also used during Middle Ages.
    4. MandorlaThis almond-shaped aureole frequently surrounds figures of Christ and the Virgin Mary in Christian art. It represents the heavens and the spiritual realm beyond human comprehension.
    5. Pelican in her PietyThe symbol of a mother pelican wounding her breast to feed her young from her own blood was used as representation of Christ’s sacrifice.
    6. Yonic SymbolsThese symbols, representing the feminine, can be found in many architectural and artistic contexts but are often overlooked due to their subtle nature.
    7. Three hares motifThis motif represents the trinity, very important in Christian beliefs, but isn’t so widely known today.
    8. The Green ManUsually a face surrounded by leaves and vines, represented rebirth and the cycle of growth each spring. This visual symbol is particularly found in medieval architecture.
    9. Catherine WheelAn emblem of St. Catherine and her martyrdom, this wheel is a rarely recognized symbol today outside of religious studies.
    10. Puzzle jug/potThough not a symbol in the traditional sense, these objects – often containing cryptic or symbolic imagery and text – served as social icebreakers in Middle Ages.