Duck, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

The duck derives its name fittingly from its frequent swimming, with ănăs stemming from ansĕr (goose) due to their similarity or shared habit. All birds experience a dual birth: firstly, the eggs are laid, secondly brought to life by the mother's warmth. The term ōva (eggs) is linked to moisture, just as ūva (grapes) are named for their internal juiciness. The distinction between hūmĭdus (moist outside) and ūvīdus (moist inside) is highlighted. Some believe the word ōvum has Greek roots but it is argued that ᾠά (eggs) lacks a crucial letter. While some eggs are empty, only those fertilized by a male are viable. Eggs possess such power that wood soaked in them will not burn and clothing mixed with them resists scorching. Additionally, eggs mixed with lime are believed to have the ability to repair shattered glass.

Ducks, as waterfowl, live both in water and on land, which was sometimes interpreted as a symbol of the dual nature of humans—the spiritual and the earthly. Their ability to move in different elements was seen as an analogy for the human soul's ability to navigate between the spiritual and material worlds.

The connection to water, a common symbol of purification and baptism in Christian tradition, could lead to its association with spiritual cleansing and renewal. The frequent swimming and washing of ducks might be seen as a metaphor for the washing away of sins through baptism.

They were also associated with vigilance because of their keen awareness and alertness. They are naturally cautious creatures and this trait may be interpreted as a reminder for Christians to remain watchful and guard against sin. Ducks, being humble and simple creatures, could represent the virtues of humility and simplicity, which were highly valued in Christian teachings. The duck's lack of grandeur or pretension could be a model for the Christian life.

Anas ab assiduitate natandi nomen aptum acce-
pit. Anseris nomen anas; dedit per dirivationem.
vel asimilitudine. vel quo ipsa natandi freque-
tiam habet. Omnium autem genera volu-
crum bis nascitur. Primum enim ova gignuntur. Inde
calore materni corporis formantur et animantur.
Ova autem dicta; ab eo quod sunt humida. Unde et
uva ab eo quod intrinsecus humore sit plena. Nam
humidi est quod externis humorem habet. Uvidum;
quod interius. Quidam autem putant ovum gre-
cam habere originem nominis. Illi autem dicunt
.oa.v. littera sublata. Ova autem quedam inani-
vento concipiuntur. sed tamen non sunt generabilia;
nisi que fuerint concubitu maculino concepta;
et feminali spiritu penetrata. Ovorum vim tan-
tam dicunt; ut lignum eo perfusum non ardeat
nec vestis quidem aduratur admixta. Fertur quoque
calce ovo admixta; vitri glutinare fragmenta.

The duck takes its name appropriately after its frequent swimming. The word ănăs comes from the word ansĕr (goose) by derivation[1], either due their similarity or to their frequent swimming. However, each species of bird is born twice. First, eggs are produced and then they are shaped and brought to life by the warmth of the mother's body. Eggs are called ōva, for they are moist, similar to how grapes, ūva, are named, for they are full of moisture inside. In fact, hūmĭdus refers to something moist on the outside, whereas ūvīdus refers to something moist on the inside. Some think that the word ōvum (egg) has a Greek origin but they claim that the Greek word ᾠά (ōiá)[2], eggs, is missing the letter v. Some eggs are produced empty but they are not fertile unless they have been conceived by a male's seed and penetrated by the female spirit. The power of eggs is said to be so great that wood therein soaked does not burn nor does clothing scorch when mixed therewith. It is also believed that mixing eggs with lime can glue together fragments of glass.

Further Reading

David Badke, The Bestiary Blog: Animals in the Middle Ages, Duck, November 6 2023, https://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast259.htm

Mynott, J, Birds in the Ancient World (New York: Oxford University Press 2018)

Josh Goldenberg (BA 2012) and Matt Shanahan (BA 2014), Logeion, November 2022, https://logeion.uchicago.edu/

Castiglioni, L. and Mariotti, S. (1996). Vocabolario della Lingua Latina: Latino-Italiano Italiano-Latino. Terza Edizione. Loescher Torino

Curley, M. J., Physiologus: A Medieval Book of Nature Lore (University of Chicago edition 2009)

Rackham, H., M.A., Pliny Natural History Volume III, Libri VIII-XI (London: William Heinemann Ltd, 1949)

Collins, A. H., M.A., Symbolism of Animals and Birds (New York: McBride, Nast & Company, 1913)

Henderson, C., The Book of Barely Imagined Beings (London: University of Chicago Press, 2013)

White, T. H., The Bestiary: A Book of Beasts (New York: G.P Putnam’s Sons, 1960)

Matthews, J. and Matthews C., The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures: The Ultimate A-Z of fantastic beings from myth and magic (London: HarperElement, 2005)

Barney, S. A., Lewis, W. J., Beach A., Berghof O., The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville (New York: Cambridge University Press, 2006)

Endnotes

[1] The figure of speech known as derivation (also called paronomasia or etymological wordplay) involves using words that are derived from the same root or are etymologically related to create a rhetorical effect. In the text, "Ansĕris nomen ănăs" plays on the similarity between the Latin words ansĕr (goose) and ănăs (duck), suggesting that the word ănăs (duck) is derived from ansĕr (goose), emphasizing their connection through this linguistic relationship.

[2] Egg is Ancient Greek was translated as ᾠόν/ōión and the plural form for eggs was ᾠά/ōiá.