White stag

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For other uses, see White Stag.
A white fallow deer (Dama dama) stag in Hellenthal, Germany

A white stag (or white hind for the female) is a white-colored

wapiti, sika deer, chital, fallow deer, roe deer, white-tailed deer, black-tailed deer, reindeer, moose, or rusa, explained by a condition known as leucism
that causes its hair and skin to lose its natural colour. The white deer has played a prominent role in many cultures' mythology.

Biology

albinos; however, unlike albinos, who have characteristically red eyes, deer with leucism have normal colouring in their eyes. It is distinguished biologically from albinism in that it causes a reduced pigmentation in all skin types, and not just melanin. There is also a black color morph of the white-tailed deer which exhibits melanism. While rare in their natural distribution, there is an incidence of up to 8.5% occurrence of black deer in certain regions of central Texas.[1]

Symbolism

Folklore

13th-century English illuminated manuscript depicting St Eustace and the white hart

White deer hold a place in the traditions of many cultures. They are considered to be messengers from the

pre-Indo-European cultures, especially in the north.[2] The Celts believed that the white stag would appear when one was transgressing a taboo, such as when Pwyll trespassed into Arawn's hunting grounds.[2] In English folklore, the white hart is associated with Herne the Hunter
.

Arthurian legend states that the creature has a perennial ability to evade capture, and that the pursuit of the animal represents mankind's spiritual quest.[3] It also signalled that the time was high for the knights of the kingdom to pursue a quest.[2]

In Catholicism and Eastern Orthodox, the white stag was partly responsible for the conversion of the martyr

Christ between the stag's antlers and was told that he would suffer for Christ.[4] A similar legend is associated with Saint Hubert.[5]

White Hart Badge of Richard II

The

Virgin Mary all wear White Hart badges. On one of the reverse panels, there is a White Hart seated on a bed of rosemary, symbolising remembrance and sorrow.[7]

The white stag has also been invoked in contemporary society for its symbolism.

Gödöllő, Hungary
, about the white stag:

The White Stag has a message for you. Hunters of old pursued the miraculous stag, not because they expected to kill it, but because it led them in the joy of the chase to new and fresh adventures, and so to capture happiness. You may look on the White Stag as the true spirit of Scouting, springing forward and upward, ever leading you onward to leap over difficulties, to face new adventures in your active pursuit of the higher aims of Scouting.

— Baden-Powell's farewell speech to the Scouts[8]
Miniature of the hunt of the White Stag, with Hunor and Magor in the foreground, 1360.

Today, the Hungarian branch of Scouts uses the white stag as a symbol. The white stag is also prevalent in

Magyar people.[2]

Reasons for symbolism

The colour white has long been associated with purity; and in Celtic culture, the colour also represented the otherworld.[2] In modern society, people have acted to protect the white stag as a vestige of beauty, and the hunting of the white stag has often been met with anger, because of its rare and elusive nature.[9][10]

For early man, the deer represented a valuable resource, providing nourishment, clothing and other accessories; and the deer may have played a role in

totemic culture.[2]

See also

References

  1. ^ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279558301_Melanism_in_white-tailed_deer_in_central_Texas
  2. ^ a b c d e f Jones, Mary (January 15, 2008). "The White Stag". Retrieved 2010-04-08.
  3. ^ "Ghost-like white stag spotted in Scotland". Reuters. 2008-02-12. Archived from the original on 2014-10-09.
  4. ^ patron Saints: Saint Eustace Catholic Forum
  5. ^ "St. Hubert". Catholic Encyclopedia. Retrieved 24 April 2017.
  6. ^ Fox-Davies, Arthur=location=London (1909). A Complete Guide to Heraldry. TC & EC Jack.
  7. ISBN 9780141979908
    . Retrieved 8 September 2017.
  8. ^ Orans, Lewis P. (2007). "Follow the White Stag" A Special Heritage". The Pinetree Web. Archived from the original on 1998-02-16.
  9. ^ "'Disgust' over white stag death". BBC News. 2007-10-26.
  10. ^ "Rare white stag found shot and beheaded". The Telegraph. 2007-10-27. Archived from the original on 2007-10-27.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to White deer.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=White_stag&oldid=1216263400"