Animal of the Day 11/29/2012

Antelopes are symbols meaning beauty, sharp vision, gentleness and speed. In ancient Rome, the antelope was sacred to Minerva, goddess of wisdom. The fleetness of the antelope has been proverbial in many cultures. For a woman to be compared to an antelope is a high compliment: she is graceful, beautiful and has beautiful eyes. The keen eyesight of the antelope led to a belief in ancient Persia and Arabia that antelopes could see into the future. The fleetness of the antelope, also known as a gazelle, was also legendary. In the Rig-Veda, the antelope is the steed of the winds. The gazelle also appears in the Old Testament, representing man armed with two horns (abstinence and obedience) to defend himself from temptation.