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1. To show the strength of their heroes Greek storytellers had them fight horrible monsters like this three-headed CHIMERA. In the front he is a lion, at the back a ser pent, and in the middle a goat.
Greek plate. Corinthian period, about 600-575 B.C.
ANIM ALS THAT NEVER WERE Though these animals never really were they have existed since earliest times in the world of make believe.
Some were created for a serious pur pose. Ancient people often invented fan tastic beings to explain things they could not understand in nature.
Some fantastic animals were made up just for fun. Storytellers have alw ays de lighted in creating im aginary animals not only to amuse but to terrify too.
Fantastic as they app ear these beasts actually combine parts of fam iliar animals. Perhaps you too can invent an "anim al that never w as."
2 . This is the fam ous w in g e d h o rse, PEGASUS. On his back is Bellerophon, the Greek hero who is said to have tamed him with a magic bridle. They are killing the three-headed CHIMERA, head by head.
Detail of Greek vase. Campanian, IV century B.C.
3. The CENTAURS were a mythical race of animal-like beings — half horse and half man. To the Greeks they stood for the savage side of man's nature. Many Greek stories tell of battles in which the centaur with his crude and uncontrolled strength was overcome by the skill of the well-trained G reek hero.
Bronze statuette. Greek, late VI century B.C.
4.
In ancient Egypt the SPHINX stood for royal power. The human head, which was a portrait of the ruling pharoah, was combined with a lion's body to suggest the strength of royalty.5. Though the Greeks took the idea of the SPHINX from the Egyptians, it was no longer a sign of royalty. How else did they change it?
Greek tomb sculpture, VI century B.C.
6. The W IN G ED BULL stood at the en trance of an ancient Near Eastern palace to guard the gates against evil spirits.
Assyrian, IX century B.C.
8. This graceful animal is the UNICORN. He has the body of a horse, the hoofs of a stag, the tail of a lion, and a single horn growing from his forehead. During the Middle Ages, as well as today, the uni corn was a symbol of purity and gentle ness. This bronze unicorn held water used in the church service. That is why he has a spout on his chest.
Bronze aquamanile. German, XV century
9. In the Middle Ages each city had a patron saint to watch over its inhabitants. The people of Venice chose St. M ark. On their flag and in prominent places through out the city the Venetians displayed his symbol, the W IN G ED LION. A modern glassmaker has given the lion a gay and playful air.
Venetian glass, XX century
10. Sailor's yarns are filled with SEA MONSTERS they claim to have seen on their long sea voyages. This creature, with fins, flip pers, and seaweed beard, was made about the time Columbus and other seamen were exploring unknown oceans.
11. A CH'I-LIN has the body of a deer, feet of a horse, and tail of an ox. He is so kind he picks up his feet to avoid tread ing on grass and live insects. Here he gives a ride to a Chinese holy man.
Chinese bronze. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
12. In Japan the Ch'i-Lin is called KIRIN. This little Kirin was once attached to the crest of a Japanese soldier's helmet and looks fiercer than his gentle brothers.
Metal helmet crest. Japanese, XIX century
13. In China DRAGONS were thought to be good and powerful friends. Some lived in the sky and controlled the wind and rain. This is probably one of those who lived under the ground and humped up their backs to make hills.
Chinese bronze. T'ang Dynasty (618-907)
7. During the Middle Ages the GRIFFIN often appeared in church sculpture because his eagle's head and wings suggest power in the heavens and his lion's body strength on earth.
14. W hat could be a better decoration for a soldier's helmet than the D RAGO N, symbol of power!
15. The Chinese FENG HUANG is a fa iry bird who is said to appear only in times of peace and happiness.
Polychrome wood. Chinese, Ming Dynasty (1368-1644)
THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART
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