The gate of the year

Marble funerary monument of the Duke Jean de Berry, brother of King Charles V, of the XV century, in the Cathedral of Bourges, France. At the foot of the lying deceased is represented a bear, chained and muzzled. Symbolic animal of the Duke, the bear lends itself to a pun: having for a long time frequented the Court of England, the Duke knew well that the sound of the English word “bear” remembered that of his own country, the Berry. Furthermore, the fact that the first bishop of Bourges, and patron saint of Berry, was called Ursinus contributes to validate the relationship of this region with the bear (Pastoureau 2007: 259-262). The monument, moreover, emphasizes the role of the bear as “psychopomp”, guide for the dead.

[Image: http://oursement-votre.com/blog/?attachment_id=1035]




Animals

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Marble funerary monument of the Duke Jean de Berry, brother of King Charles V, of the XV century, in the Cathedral of Bourges, France. At the foot of the lying deceased is represented a bear, chained and muzzled. Symbolic animal of the Duke, the bear lends itself to a pun: having for a long time frequented the Court of England, the Duke knew well that the sound of the English word “bear” remembered that of his own country, the Berry. Furthermore, the fact that the first bishop of Bourges, and patron saint of Berry, was called Ursinus contributes to validate the relationship of this region with the bear (Pastoureau 2007: 259-262). The monument, moreover, emphasizes the role of the bear as “psychopomp”, guide for the dead. [Image: http://oursement-votre.com/blog/?attachment_id=1035]