ZOOMORPHISM

zoomorphism

(noun) the attribution of animal forms or qualities to a god

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

zoomorphism (plural zoomorphisms)

The representation of gods as animals or the attributing of animal characteristics to gods.

(arts, literature) The use of animal figures in art and design or of animal symbols in literature.

The viewing of human behavior in terms of the behavior of animals.

Source: Wiktionary

Zo`ö*mor"phism, n.

1. The transformation of men into beasts. [R.] Smart.

2. The quality of representing or using animal forms; as, zoömorphism in ornament.

3. The representation of God, or of gods, in the form, or with the attributes, of the lower animals. To avoid the error of anthropomorphism, we fall into the vastly greater, and more absurd, error of zoömorphism. Mivart.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition