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Symbolism > greyhound

greyhound

The Greyhound, or "lévrier" in Norman French is said to signify fidelity, vigilancy, majesty, courage, and swiftness. greyhounds appear in art and literature throughout history. The breed is thought to have been developed nearly 5,000 years ago in Egypt, where the animals were not only companions, but they were revered and almost worshipped. Greek mythological figures were often portrayed with greyhounds: Hecate, goddess of wealth, is often shown with a Greyhound. The Romans, too, revered the greyhound; their Gods and Goddesses, were often depicted with Greyhounds. Greyhounds were in England, prior to the 9th cent. They were bred and raised by the aristocracy and used to hunt small game. In fact, for approximately 700 years it was illegal under English law for a commoner to own a greyhound. Greyhounds almost became extinct during the famines of the Middle Ages, and it has been suggested that clergymen saved them from starvation and then bred them for noblemen, thus furthering their symbolic nobility.

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