Merganser, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

The merganser, known in medieval times as mergus or mergŭlus, earns its name from its distinctive diving behaviour. When diving, this bird can sense changes in the underwater currents, which allows it to predict approaching storms. By heading toward the shore and seeking refuge, it signals that a severe tempest is imminent.

Symbolically, the merganser represents those who are dedicated to contemplation and possess the wings of contemplation but are still entangled in worldly desires. Despite its spiritual aspirations (symbolised by its wings), the merganser searches for sustenance in the depths, mirroring individuals who seek higher knowledge but are still concerned with earthly matters. Consequently, in the Book of Leviticus, the merganser is enumerated among the unclean birds, a metaphor for those whose spiritual pursuits are undermined by material concerns.

Merbus sive merbulus ab assiduitate mer-
gendi nomen havet. Sepe autem dimisso in pro- non in alio
fundo capite; aurarum signa merguli sub flucti-
bus; colligunt. et previdentes equoris tempestatem;
cum clamore ad eo(dots underneath) littora tendunt. Nam in pela-
go significant iam gravissimam tempestatem esse; cum
mergi ad littora venerint et confugerint;

The merganser, mergus, or mergŭlus in Vulgar Latin, is named after its diving habits. Often, when they have their head under water, mergansers sense gusts of wind and are able to foresee a storm at sea and, with a cry, they head towards the shore. When they approach the shore and seek refuge, it means that a severe storm is about to burst.

Significant igitur mergi contemplativos qui habent pen-
nam contemplationis; sed vitam cupiditatis.
Mergi enim de profunditate aque sibi cibum que-
runt. licet pennam habeant. et ideo in levitico;
inter inmundas aves reputantur. Qui enim con-
templationi vacant; ad superiora tendere de-
bent. non de inferioribus solliciti esse.

Therefore, the merganser symbolises those who are contemplative and have the wings of contemplation but live a life of cupidity. The merganser seeks food from the depths of the sea, although it has wings. Thus, in Leviticus, it is enumerated among the unclean birds. Those who devote themselves to contemplation should aspire to higher things and not be concerned with lower matters.

Further Reading

David Badke, The Bestiary Blog: Animals in the Middle Ages, Merganser (Mergus), November 6 2023, https://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast104635.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] Merbus and merbulus are transcription errors for mergus and mergŭlus in vulgar Latin, which is the genus of typical mergansers. The English word is merganser. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mergus

[2] Wings often symbolize the ability to rise above or transcend earthly concerns, which aligns with the idea of contemplation and spiritual elevation. It conveys a sense of upward movement and aspiration toward higher ideals.