Physiologus: On the Natures of Twelve Animals

Thus the human is immersed in the living whirlpool of tears—which tears, namely, bring to life the soul dead in sins—is merited in three ways; that is, through the three things which are required for penance penance: the process of repenting and making amends for sins: namely, through contrition of the heart, confession of the mouth, and satisfaction through deeds, one is made renewed in Christ.

¶ Also note that just as the eagle, by striking its old beak against a rock, puts it aside, so also the sinner—by striking against the rock which is Christ through humble prayers and supplications and by confessing sins—puts aside the "crooked mouth." This "crooked mouth" is sin, and once it is gone, one is able to take food, which is the grace of God. The Apostle St. Paul, in 1 Corinthians 10:4 shows that Christ is signified by the rock when he says: The rock, however, was Christ. original: "Petra autem erat xps" So therefore the "old man" a reference to the sinful nature before spiritual rebirth burdened by sin, having now been made new through penance, eats the bread that is pleasant and sweet above all honey—this is the body of Christ. And Christ is the food without death; this is to say that whoever uses this bread—that is, the Lord's body—shall not die the eternal death. Whence it says in the Gospel: I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats of this bread, he shall live forever. John 6:51

¶ Also note that there are still some properties of the eagle itself which the author does not mention, but which the Philosopher Aristotle, whose works on natural history were standard textbooks in the Middle Ages puts in his Book on Animals. The first of these is that the eagle flies higher than all other birds, seeing fish in the waters and hares in the woods. Wherefore, just as the eagle flies higher than other birds, so wisdom is higher than all philosophy. And thus Christ also, who is signified by the eagle, dwells in heaven. Whence: I dwell in the highest places, and my throne is in a pillar of cloud. Sirach 24:4 And just as the eagle sees fish in the waters and hares in the woods, so Christ looks into and knows the secrets of hearts. Whence Solomon This quote, "Man sees the face, but God looks at the heart," is actually from 1 Samuel 16:7, though often generalized as "the words of the wise." says: Man sees the face; Christ, however, gazes upon the heart. Therefore also John the Evangelist is described in the form of an eagle, because he saw the secrets of God more than others, for he was more beloved by God than the others.

¶ The second nature of the eagle is that she produces only three chicks, whom she makes look into the sun’s rays; and whichever of them cannot look at them steadily, she casts out of the nest as being worthless.

+

Thus also Christ, who is signified by the eagle, has three "children," namely three types of Christian men: [the faithful], the Jews, and the Gentiles. The text says "threefold" but specifically names Jews and Gentiles; it likely implies the three known divisions of humanity or stages of faith. And whichever of these does not gaze upon the sun’s ray steadily and diligently—that is, whoever does not have faith in God or does not firmly believe the twelve articles of faith—He casts out of the nest, which is the kingdom of heaven, condemning them eternally.

¶ The third nature of the eagle is that when her chicks have grown, she flies over them, giving them an example of flying; and thus she strives to draw them toward flight. Thus also any person who is in charge of others ought to give a good example to those under them so that