Animal Metaphor for the Liver: The Bull 牛
Mithras Kills the Bull
The Bull is the animal metaphor for the Liver. “Ox” was traditionally the word for a single bovine animal, with the plural being “cattle.” Oxen can pull harder and longer than horses, they are not as fast as horses and are less prone to injury because they are more sure-footed and do not jerk the load. Just like the Liver performs many jobs, Cattle are also used for meat, milk, and leather.
Many of the oldest bullrings in Spain are located on or near the temples of Mithras. In every one of the Mithraic temples is a representation of Mithras killing a sacrificial bull to welcome the coming of Spring. A serpent and a dog drink from the Bull’s wound, and a scorpion (who is supposed to represent the Autumn) attacks his testicles, supposedly an act that saps the Bull’s strength. Mithras was often referred to as Sol Invictus, or “Unconquered Sun,” and so even in the Western world, it is easy to see the relationship between the Bull and the renewal of the Sun.
A Bull on a coat of arms generally represents valor and magnanimity, as well as bravery and generosity. The calf is often associated with patience, submissiveness and self-sacrifice.
In Egypt, the Apis Bull was considered a manifestation of the Pharoah, and was sacrificed in his stead. The Bull symbolized the Pharoah’s courageous heart, great strength, virility and fighting spirit. Often the Bull was pictured with the sun disk of Hathor between his horns. Here again is the association with the Sun and the ideas of rebirth and renewal.
Here is it can be seen that the Bull is a symbol of the sacrifice that bring the Sun fully into the world again. It is able to offer itself as a sacrifice because of it’s great strength and courage.
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