symbolism of which these birds were the embodiment
e nature of which symbolism it is now our obiect
to amve at. Two of the birds, similar in character,
with straight legs and fan-shaped tails different from
the others, are represented as perched on zones or
cesti; two others have only indications of the cestus
eneath their feet; a fifth, with nothing beneath
r a O N T AND BACK O F A B R O K EN SO A P STO N E B IR D ON P E D E S T A L
its feet, has two circles carved under it and two on
the wings ; a sixth is perched on a chevron pattern
similar to that which decorates the large circular
temple; hence there is a sort of similarity of symbolism
connecting them all.
We have now to look around for comparisons
by which we may hope to identify the origin of our
1 Vide Frontispiece.
birds, and I have little doubt in stating that they are
closely akin to the Assyrian Astarte or Venus, and
represent the female element in creation. Similar
birds were sacred to Astarte amongst the Phoenicians
and are often represented as perched on her shrines.
Of the maternal aspect in which the ancient
B IR D ON P ED E S T A L
Egyptians held the vulture we have ample evidence.
Horapollo tells us (I. 11) that the vulture was
emblematic of ‘ Urania, a year, a mother,’ whilst
-¿Llian goes so far as to suppose that all vultures were
females, to account for their character as emblems of
maternity. The cesti and the circles point obviously