Biblical lynx information.
Jan. 20th, 2004 12:48 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
ferineTaken from ww2.netnitco.net/users/legend01/lynx.htm:
The lynx is a predator that was once believed to have incredible powers of vision. During the Middle Ages, people thought it could see through walls. In representations of the five senses, the lynx is used to symbolize the sense of sight. One of the Argonauts who sailed with Jason in search of the Golden Fleece was named Lynceus because of his exceptional powers of vision. To be "lyncean" or "lynx-eyed" is to be sharp-sighted.
The lynx's imagined powers of vision made it a symbol of the all-seeing or omniscient Christ. Many times during His ministry Jesus demonstrated that He knew the wicked thoughts of His listeners by saying such things as "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?" [Mt 22:18; see also Mt 9:4, 12:25; Mk 2:8; Lk 5:22, 6:8, 9:46-47; Jn 5:42] John writes of Christ that "He did not need man's testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man." [Jn 2:25] Paul writes, "there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." [Heb 4:13 NKJV] Jesus knew from the beginning who would believe in Him and who would betray Him. [Jn 6:64, 13:11, 21:17] Christ uses His powers of vision so that He may reward everyone according to their deeds. [Rev 2:23]
During His ministry, Jesus used His omniscience to convince people such as Nathanael, whom He saw under the fig tree, and the Samaritan woman at the well that He was the Messiah. [Jn 1:48; 4:6-30] At the Last Supper, when He demonstrated His ability to answer their unspoken questions, His disciples announced that this skill convinced them that He came from God and that He knew all things. [Jn 16:30] He was able to spot schools of fish from the shore and even saw a coin in a swimming fish's mouth. [Lk 5:4-7; Jn 21:6; Mt 17:27]
The lynx is also the symbol of the vigilance of Christ as He watches over His people. This cat was believed to be as alert as the lion which sleeps with its eyes open. This degree of vigilance and alertness is referred to when the lynx is displayed on coats of arms.
The lynx's powers of hearing were believed to be as great as his powers of sight. It was thought to be fond of music and completely enchanted by the beautiful songs of Virgil's characters, Damon and Alphesiboeus.
This animal was hunted for lynx-gut which was used to string harps and for the mysterious "lynx's stone" or "lycurium" which was thought to be a cure for mental illness, jaundice,and epilepsy. It was believed to escape from hunters by wiping out its tracks with its tail.
Oppien called the lynx the "little panther" and the symbolism of the panther was often attributed to it. In this way it became an attribute of Dionysus and Pan. Demeter turned Lyncus into a lynx when he attacked Triptolemus. In addition to representing the all-seeing Christ, the lynx is an attribute of the Devil.
All scripture quotes are from the NIV Bible unless otherwise indicated.
The lynx is a predator that was once believed to have incredible powers of vision. During the Middle Ages, people thought it could see through walls. In representations of the five senses, the lynx is used to symbolize the sense of sight. One of the Argonauts who sailed with Jason in search of the Golden Fleece was named Lynceus because of his exceptional powers of vision. To be "lyncean" or "lynx-eyed" is to be sharp-sighted.
The lynx's imagined powers of vision made it a symbol of the all-seeing or omniscient Christ. Many times during His ministry Jesus demonstrated that He knew the wicked thoughts of His listeners by saying such things as "You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?" [Mt 22:18; see also Mt 9:4, 12:25; Mk 2:8; Lk 5:22, 6:8, 9:46-47; Jn 5:42] John writes of Christ that "He did not need man's testimony about man, for He knew what was in a man." [Jn 2:25] Paul writes, "there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." [Heb 4:13 NKJV] Jesus knew from the beginning who would believe in Him and who would betray Him. [Jn 6:64, 13:11, 21:17] Christ uses His powers of vision so that He may reward everyone according to their deeds. [Rev 2:23]
During His ministry, Jesus used His omniscience to convince people such as Nathanael, whom He saw under the fig tree, and the Samaritan woman at the well that He was the Messiah. [Jn 1:48; 4:6-30] At the Last Supper, when He demonstrated His ability to answer their unspoken questions, His disciples announced that this skill convinced them that He came from God and that He knew all things. [Jn 16:30] He was able to spot schools of fish from the shore and even saw a coin in a swimming fish's mouth. [Lk 5:4-7; Jn 21:6; Mt 17:27]
The lynx is also the symbol of the vigilance of Christ as He watches over His people. This cat was believed to be as alert as the lion which sleeps with its eyes open. This degree of vigilance and alertness is referred to when the lynx is displayed on coats of arms.
The lynx's powers of hearing were believed to be as great as his powers of sight. It was thought to be fond of music and completely enchanted by the beautiful songs of Virgil's characters, Damon and Alphesiboeus.
This animal was hunted for lynx-gut which was used to string harps and for the mysterious "lynx's stone" or "lycurium" which was thought to be a cure for mental illness, jaundice,and epilepsy. It was believed to escape from hunters by wiping out its tracks with its tail.
Oppien called the lynx the "little panther" and the symbolism of the panther was often attributed to it. In this way it became an attribute of Dionysus and Pan. Demeter turned Lyncus into a lynx when he attacked Triptolemus. In addition to representing the all-seeing Christ, the lynx is an attribute of the Devil.
All scripture quotes are from the NIV Bible unless otherwise indicated.
