Detail from the 1539 "Carta Marina" by Olaus Magnus (1490-1557) showing a striped fish with a beak-like head being attacked by a green crocodilian beast. The striped fish is a pale orange with darker orange ruffled stripes. It has a single large fin rising from its back and two webbed feet. Its round head appears to have a fringe and a prominent beak. It seems to have a brown fish in its maw. The word "ZIPHIVS" is above it. Image from "Carta Marina" (1539) from Wikimedia Commons.

The medieval zifius appears to have morphed into the later ziphius. This ziphius is from the 1539 "Carta marina" created by Olaus Magnus (1490-1557). The creature attacking it is unnamed. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #zifius

A very large black fish-like whale appearing to be vomiting up the green wave it is swimming on. The image is on a gilt-studded red background surrounded by a gilt frame on a manuscript page. Image from Bibliothèque Municipale de Valenciennes, MS 320 [Liber de natura rerum], folio 120v.

This version of the zifius from a 13th century "Libera de natura rerum" has been drawn as a whale in response to the description of a sea monster unlike any other. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #zifius

Surrounded by text, an open-mouthed four-legged monster with a long tail ending in a sharp trefoil is looking sideways with an incredibly worried expression. It has a grey wash over the scales covering its upper body and patches of pinkish-brown wash over its underside and face. It has three pinkish-brown fins rising from its back. It seems to have front paws but webbed back feet. Its head seems very human with curly hair and beard. Its open maw has two rows of triangular teeth, many of which seem to be missing. Image from British Library, Additional MS 11390 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 55v.

This worried-looking zifius is from a later version (c1300-1325) of "Der Naturen Bloeme". It is still described as a sea monster despite looking more like a dragon. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #zifius

A sea monster with a large round grey head with huge orange round eyes and a grinning mouth filled with orange fan-like teeth. The head seems upside down but it is unclear if that is because the monster is upside down or if it is the right way up but with its features the reverse of most of other animals. It has a small brown body to the side which gives no indication as to whether the beast is upside down or not. The image is in a tarnished gilt frame on a manuscript page. Image from Lippische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 70 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 87r.

This week's medieval beast is the little-known zifius simply described as a sea monster unlike any other animal. This particular zifius is from the earliest known version (c1287) of "Der Naturen Bloeme". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #zifius

A brown-outlined five-limbed starfish crudely filled in with orange colour. The points of the star are shown as curly/wavy and there is a central circle with lines radiating out of it to each limb in the centre of the starfish. The whole is surrounded by text the same colour as the outline. Image from Cambridge University Library, Kk.4.25, folio 92r.

This medieval torpedo from an English Third Family bestiary dated to 1220-1240 has unusually been illustrated as a starfish. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #torpedo

A long silver-coloured fish with its tail fin extending into the border of the page swimming beneath some text. Its gills are shown at the base of its head and it has a distinct overlip and a slightly open mouth giving it a disgruntled expression. Image from Kongelige Bibliotek, GKS 1633 4° [Bestiary of Ann Walsh], folio 63v.

The medieval torpedo was said to be so strength that even its breath could create limb weakness. This disgruntled-looking fish is from the Bestiary of Ann Walsh, 1400-1425. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #torpedo

A rather blurry large fish outline with a grey colour-washed head and green and brown colour-wash stripes over its body and a brown tail. The colour-washing isn't of very good quality. There is text around the fish on the manuscript page. Image from British Library, Additional MS 11390 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 62r.

The medieval torpedo was said to paralyse who/whatever touched it even if it was touched at a distance using a spear. This image is from a version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" dated c1300-c1325. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #torpedo

A long black fish half-buried in a green wave at the bottom of the picture with two small fish swimming above it, one blue-grey and the other a creamy colour. The picture is surrounded by a black-edged gilt frame surrounded by text on a manuscript page. The picture's background is red with large gilt circles. Image from Bibliothèque Municipale de Valenciennes, MS 320 [Liber de natura rerum], folio 131v.

The medieval torpedo was said to be a large fish that lived in the Indian Ocean. It was said to bury itself in mud and stun any fish that swam over it. This image is from a 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #torpedo

A furry brown dog-like beast with a long raised bushy tail and trailing long pointed ears. It appears very stocky and sturdy. The open-mouthed head and tail are not coloured-in. It has a fierce expression and appears to be moving towards the left. It is shown on green ground against a blue background with clusters of three dots in a gilt frame on a manuscript page. Image from Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 13440 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 2r.

The medieval cacus was said to signify angry people pouring fires of vituperation that inflame others. This image from a 14th century Dutch version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" is yet another generic dog-like beast. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

A large generic dog-like beast in a blue-grey colour with an open mouth exhaling four tongues of red fire against a tarnished, possibly gilt, background with a stylised tree seeming to curve over its back. It is shown looking to the left with one foreleg slightly raised and another stylised tree in the background. It is surrounded by a reddish brown and blue decorated frame with gilt corners on a manuscript page. Image from Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 51v.

The medieval cacus was sometimes depicted as breathing fire which again harkens back to the myth of Cacus, although Cacus was said to shoot fire from his chest. This image is from a c1350 Flemish version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

A brown furry quadruped with a dog-like snout and pointed ears is pulling two bulls backwards by their tails. The animals are shown on green grass with a green plant at the rump of the cacus. A caption of "Cacus" is shown under the rear hooves of the bulls and there is text above, below and beside the cacus. Image from British Library, Additional MS 11390 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 10v.

The medieval cacus is possibly a misreading of the myth of Cacus, a flesh-eating shepherd who stole cattle from Hercules. This image is from a c1300-c1325 Dutch version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" by Jacob van Maerlant (c1200-c1272). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

A round-eared blue beast is emerging from a hole in a brown hill and pulling two brown bulls by their tails backwards. The rear bull has its head up and seems to be smiling goofily. The near bull is looking at the blue beast with a very annoyed expression. The animals are shown on brown grass against a red background with large gilt dots in a gilt frame on a manuscript page surrounded by text. Image from Bibliothèque Municipale de Valenciennes, MS 320 [Liber de natura rerum], folio 56r.

Our medieval beast this week is the cacus which was said to be a monster that steals cattle. This image is from a French 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum" by Thomas de Cantimpré (1201-c1272). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #cacus

A winged white lion with a human face surrounded by a curly mane. The face has red cheeks and is looking out at the viewer with crossed-eyes. The harpy is sitting on a green ground and there is a dark-haired head with shut eyes at its front paws which might explain the harpy's confused expression. It is shown against a red background in a pale-coloured frame. Image from Bibliothèque Universitaire Historique de Médecine (Montpellier), H. 437 (L'Image du Monde / Bestiaire of Pierre de Beauvais), folio 207r.

The Bestiare of Pierre Beauvais showed harpies as winged lions with human faces in contrast to other bestiaries. This ?1340 version shows a lion-like harpy (and there is no explanation of why there is a head on the ground). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies

A white-headed bearded harpy with pointed ears. The harpy has a brown bird body banded with grey and white-trimmed wings. The front wing is obviously attached to the leg but the rear wing appears to be attached to the neck and is shown in a very odd upright position. It is shown with some stylised trees which are bent as if in a strong wind. It has a quizzical expression on its face. Image from Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 75r.

Although harpies in modern thought are usually associated with women, many medieval harpies were obviously male like this bearded harpy from a c1350 version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies

A harpy with a brown dog-like body, white and blue wings and a white bearded head is standing in front of a man in a blue gown with its paws in the figure's lap and one of its back paws on the man's black-clad foot. The man is resting against a green cushion and appears to be fainting. The harpy looks like it is peering into the man's face. Image from Private Library - Unknown Owner, ex-Phillipps MS 6739 (Bestiaire of Pierre de Beauvais, long version), folio 10r.

Medieval harpies were considered to be the personification of storm winds. This murky harpy has a winged dog-like body and is from the Bestiare of Pierre de Beauvais (late 13th century). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies

A generic brown bird with a white human head. The head is shown with a distinctive hairstyle of a rolled curl as a fringe and also at the neck. The bird's legs are only shown in white outline with the back leg appearing to be missing. The harpy is shown on a red-brown background with large gold dots in a gilt frame on a manuscript page. Image from Bibliothèque Municipale de Valenciennes, MS 320 [Liber de natura rerum], folio 86r.

Our medieval beast this week is the mythical harpy which was described as a fierce bird with a human head. This image is from a 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum". #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #harpy #harpies

Running towards the right across some text, a delicately tinted, smiling stork. It has a long neck and long body, a drooping tail, a small head with a medium-length hooked beak and impressively sturdy feet with large clawed feet. Image from Kongelige Bibliotek, GKS 1633 4° [Bestiary of Ann Walsh], folio 34v.

Our final medieval stork is from the always delightful Bestiary of Ann Walsh (1400-1425). It is unusual in showing the bird running as most medieval storks are shown standing or sitting. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #stork #storks

An uncoloured drawing of a very shaggy bird with a long neck and short pointed beak (which seems to be smiling) and a long body with a drooping tail. It has long thin legs. It is set on a manuscript page within text of the same colour ink. Image from Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Reg. lat. 258, folio 36r.

This particular medieval stork is from a 13th century second family bestiary. Storks were thought to be companionable but were considered as the enemies of snakes. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #stork #storks

A cartoon-style drawing of two birds nesting in the opening of a brick turret-like chimney. The birds are white with black-trimmed wings. One is shown sitting on the nest and the other is shown standing behind it with its extremely large beak raised into the air. Image from Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, MS 404 [Rothschild Canticles], folio 121r.

Medieval storks were thought to brood on their nests so devotedly that they lost their feathers. This pair of storks is from the Rothschild Canticles (c1300). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #stork #storks

A pair of white large birds with long necks and dark-grey trimmed wings. The nearer bird is shown looking up with its neck hunched into its back and its long pointed orange beak open. The other bird is shown crouching down with an olive-coloured frog caught in its orange beak. Their legs and feet are the same colour as their beak and they are shown on a gilt background in a red and blue circle inside a square faded red frame with white decoration. Image from Aberdeen University Library, Univ. Lib. MS 24 [Aberdeen Bestiary (Second Family)], folio 49r.

Medieval storks were considered as harbingers of spring and were known for their care of their young and elders. This lovely pair of storks is from the Aberdeen Bestiary (c1200). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #stork #storks

A white deer-like quadruped in a half-crouch facing left. It is on a green ground against a deep blue background in a three-sided gilt frame surrounded by text on a manuscript page. It has upright pointed black ears and seems rather pop-eyed. Image from Lippische Landesbibliothek, Ms. 70 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 23r.

Our fourth and final hamster is again from a version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". This version is from 1287 and was produced in northwest Flanders. This hamster is more deer-like than dog-like. #medievalbeasts #medievalmanuscripts #hamster #hamsters

A dog-like white-headed quadruped facing left with one front paw upraised. It has a bushy tail and a light brown body and is shown against a deep blue background decorated with triangular white dots. This beast appears to be smiling. The brown frame looks like it is tarnished gilt and is surrounded by text on a manuscript page. Image from Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 13440 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 3v.

This medieval hamster is from another 14th century version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". This one is from the Netherlands and again shows the hamster as white-headed. #medievalbeasts #medievalmanuscripts #hamster #hamsters

Two quadrupeds with dog-like small white heads on larger fox-coloured bodies with white bellies and long bushy tails are sitting facing each over a tree smaller than they are. Their tails extend beyond the boundaries of the elaborate red and blue decorated frame surrounded by text on a manuscript page. Image from Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 53r.

Medieval hamsters were described as being like squirrels and living in burrows in the ground. This pair of hamsters is from a c1350 Flemish version of "Der Naturen Bloeme". #medievalbeasts #medievalmanuscripts #hamster #hamsters

A generic medieval dog-like brown quadruped with a bushy tail facing to the right against a deep blue background with gilt blobs in a gilt frame surrounded by text on a manuscript page. Image from Bibliothèque Municipale de Valenciennes, MS 320 [Liber de natura rerum], folio 58r.

Our medieval beast this week is the hamster which is nothing like our modern hamster from the images. This one is a French 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum". #medievalbeasts #medievalmanuscripts #hamster #hamsters

Drawn in the midst of text with a tag of "ceruleum" in a small yellow box on the left, a large green-washed fish is looking at the viewer. It has human arms and hands, not green-washed, and has a definite animal-shaped head with pointed ears. It has brown upper and lower fins and a forked tail. Its expression seems both puzzled and pained. Image from British Library, Additional MS 11390 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 51r.

This particular medieval ceruleum looks as puzzled by its definitely human arms as the viewer. It is from a c1300-c1325 version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" by Jacob van Maerlant (c1235-c1291). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #ceruleum

A very fierce-looking shark-like fish with two long front arms seems to be rearing out of water against a once probably gilt background. The fish has a silvery brown upper body and arms and a paler grey belly with thin white lines. It has a double dorsal fin with white trim as well as a belly fin. It seems to be giving the viewer the side eye and is baring its teeth. It has long claws and its arms are very strong-looking. Image from Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 104r.

The medieval ceruleum was said to be found in the Ganges River. This particularly fierce version is from a c1350 version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" by Jacob van Maerlant (c1235-c1291). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #ceruleum

A dark furry beast crouching in a body of water is biting the end of the tail of a grey quadruped and using its arms to drag the quadruped into the water. The furry beast has a long tail and trailing long pointed ears and isn't at all fish-like. The grey quadruped seems smaller than the beast and is looking back at it with a mournful expression. Image from Bibliothèque Municipale de Valenciennes, MS 320 [Liber de natura rerum], folio 113v.

The medieval ceruleum was thought to be so strong that it could bite an elephant's trunk and drag it into the water. This image from a French 13th century version of "Liber de natura rerum" shows an unusual ceruleum dragging a beast into the water. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #ceruleum

A large scaled dark green fish with what seems to be four limbs as well as two dorsal fins against a reddish-pink background in a red frame on a manuscript page. It has a red chevron at the back of its head and is shown facing left with an open mouth. It appears to have an overhanging brow and a dark eye with a red patch beneath and a white patch to the side. Image from Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Pal. lat. 291 [De rerum naturis], folio 97r.

The ceruleum was a medieval beast described as a very large bluish-green fish with two arms. This image is from a 1425 German version of "De rerum naturis" by Rabanus Maurus (c780-856). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #ceruleum

A long, short-legged, brown ferret with a white underside and a long fluffy brown tail, standing on a green ground against a blue sky. It appears to be looking backwards with its pig-like white snout in the air. It has long claws. Image from Bibliothèque Nationale de France, fr. 22532 [Livre des proprietés des choses], folio 308r.

This medieval ferret from a 15th century "Livre des propriétés des choses" which is a French translation by Jean Corbechon (fl. 1350) of "De proprietatibus rerum". It has an oddly piglike snout. #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #ferret #ferrets

A brown, rather dog-like, ferret with unusually long legs is running towards the right. It has flicked back pointed ears and a fierce expression. There are two stylised trees in the background and it appears to be running on the bottom frame of the picture. The frame has white decorated blue top and bottom and white decorated red sides with gilt corners. Image from Koninklijke Bibliotheek, KB, KA 16 [Der Naturen Bloeme], folio 57v.

Medieval ferrets were said to attack any animal that breathed regardless of any size discrepancy. This image is from a c1350 version of "Der Naturen Bloeme" by Jacob van Maerlant (c1235-c1291). #medievalmanuscripts #medievalbeasts #ferret #ferrets