zoomorphismn.
/ˌzuː(ə)ˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m/, /ˌzəʊəˈmɔːfɪz(ə)m/, U.S. /ˌzu(ə)ˈmɔrˌfɪz(ə)m/, /ˌzoʊəˈmɔrˌfɪz(ə)m/ 1.
a. The attribution of animal form or nature to a god or supernatural being. Cf. anthropomorphism n. 1.
ΘΠ
the world > the supernatural > deity > [noun] > representation of god(s)
zoomorphism1822
theotechny1858
animalization1886
tricephal1888
theriomorphism1908
1822 tr. C. Malte-Brun Universal Geogr. I. xxiii. 576 The most gross is the religion of the Egyptians, in which the attributes of the divinity were represented under the figures of animals... This may be termed zoomorphism [Fr. Zoomorphisme].
1882 St. G. Mivart Nature & Thought 205 Zoomorphism is much more absurd than Anthropomorphism.
1921 Christian Sci. Jrnl. Jan. 533/2 Zoömorphism is really not more absurd than anthropomorphism.
1989 M. R. Wilson Our Father Abraham ix. 142 God's protective care is shown through zoomorphism..: ‘Hide me in the shadow of your wings.’
2006 R. Sterckx in P. Waldau & K. Patton Communion of Subj. iv. 261/2 Zoomorphism appears to be less common in early Chinese religion than it was in ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, or Gaul.
b. The supernatural transformation of a person or god into an animal.
Π
1839 Penny Mag. 23 Nov. 456/1 This people believe in zoomorphism, or the transformation of men into beasts.
1853 Asylum Jrnl. No. 1. 52/1 Among the widespread epidemical delusions of bygone times, the doctrine of Zoomorphism—the belief of men being transformed into animals—is one of the most curious and deep-rooted.
1949 M. Dillon tr. M. L. Sjoestedt Gods & Heroes of Celts 33 We have had occasion to mention the animal transformations of the Morrígan. This zoomorphism is an important feature of many Irish goddesses.
2008 Buffalo (N.Y.) News (Nexis) 14 Nov. g2 Vibrant tales of cowboys, zoomorphism (the singer turns into a wolf on the title track) and an outlaw killer.
2. Imitation or representation of animal forms in decorative art or symbolism.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > visual arts > representation in art > [noun] > of animal forms
zoomorphism1860
1860 C. Innes Scotl. in Middle Ages 206 Objects..which present as their peculiar and prevailing characteristic that zoomorphism of ornamentation.
1879 J. Anderson Scotl. in Early Christian Times (1881) 221 An Irish crosier..exhibits a more pronounced character of zoomorphism.
1958 East & West 9 93/2 Expressed by a zoomorphism which one comes across at times in some representations.
1986 G. Cadogan End Early Bronze Age 85 Pots, in particular, lend themselves to anthropomorphism (or perhaps zoomorphism).
2003 N.Y. Times (National ed.) 6 Nov. d1/2 That sensibility has also been called zoomorphism..and reflects a widening interest among designers in borrowing the flowing forms of nature.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2017; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1822