ibis
animal · 2 works · 2 mentions · 2 anchored passages
the ibis
in the texts
Stromata
Egyptian sacred bird symbolizing the moon and credited with originating the Egyptian concept of number and measure.
For the ibis seems above the other creatures to have furnished the Egyptians with the beginning of the conception of number and measure, as the oblique circle did of the circles.
The Histories
Sacred bird credited with intercepting and killing winged serpents flying from Arabia, described in detail including its two varieties.
Winged serpents are said to fly from Arabia at the beginning of spring, making for Egypt;
The Arabians say that the ibis is greatly honored by the Egyptians for this service, and the Egyptians give the same reason for honoring these birds.
Such is the appearance of the ibis which fights with the serpents.