Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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PHYSIOLOGUS
A collection of Christian allegories in which religious truths are symbolized by animals. An outstanding example is the pelican who feeds its young by shedding its own blood, as Christ saved mankind by shedding his blood. They were very popular in the Middle Ages and greatly influenced ecclesiastical art and medieval literature.
