Yale, Rochester Bestiary, c.1230

The name yale, also called centicore, is believed to derive from the Hebrew word יָעֵל (yael), which means ibex.

In Medieval Christian symbolism, this beast may have represented strength and courage: it was often portrayed as a formidable creature with great strength and courage. Its ability to defend itself against attackers, often depicted by its use of its rotating horns, symbolized bravery and resilience in the face of adversity.

Christians often associated the yale with the idea of protection and defence against evil forces. Its ferocious appearance and reputed ability to turn its horns to face any threat were interpreted as symbolic guardianship, representing the protective power of faith against spiritual adversaries.

Some interpretations of the yale in Medieval Christian symbolism draw parallels with Christological themes. For instance, the yale's ability to rotate its horns may have been seen as a metaphor for Christ's omniscience and omnipotence, his ability to confront and overcome all challenges.

Est bestia que dicitur eale. magna ut equus. cauda;
elephantis. nigro colore. maxillis caprinis. cornua
preferens ultra modum longa. ad obsequium cuius velit
motus accomodata. Neque enim rigent; sed moventur
ut usus exigit preliandi. Quorum alterum cum pug-
nat; pretendit; alterum replicat. Ut si ictu aliquo
alterius acumen offenderit; acies succedat alterius;

The beast called yale is as large as a horse, has a tail like that of an elephant, is of black colour, has caprine jaws, and exceedingly long horns that adjust to any movements it wishes to make, for they do not stiffen, but they move as the need for fighting requires. When the yale has to fight, one horn moves forward whereas the other one folds back. If the tip of the first horn is damaged by a blow, it is replaced by the tip of the second one.

Further Reading

David Badke, The Bestiary Blog: Animals in the Middle Ages, Yale, November 6 2023, https://bestiary.ca/beasts/beast142.htm

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

Matthews, J. and Matthews C., (2010), The Element Encyclopedia of Magical Creatures, HarperCollins UK, London

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)

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