I spent almost three weeks in New Zealand during the austral summer in February. As I had been able to collect unusual references to Greco-Roman antiquity while traveling in Japan or in Australia, so I had the pleasure of making unexpected discoveries in New Zealand. First, I found mottos in Latin, then so many references to ancient languages that I had to select among my pictures in order to avoid writing too long a post!
In Japan, a real bestiary goes with the everyday life: cats, badgers, foxes, rabbits, frogs … Each of these animals has a symbolic value: cats for storekeepers, badgers in front of pubs, foxes, rabbits and frogs in shrines.
As for the frogs, they are linked with water, of course, but not only.
In Ancient Greece and Rome, as well as in Japanese mythology, frogs hold a major place, but with a different symbolism.
Continue reading “It’s not raining cats and dogs, but frogs!”