12th Century symbolism

Even today, we associate characteristics or virtues to certain animals or objects eg "pride of a peacock", "diamonds are forever", "as tough as an elephant". Some of these date back to medieval times (when assigning virtues was quite a fad), others are more recent.

A good source to find the symbolism associated with animals (and occasionally gemstones too) is in a bestiary. A good example of a 12th century bestiary on the internet (with excellent pictures and translated text) is the [Bestiary].

Peacock

"When the peacock lives it Tharsis, it signifies the effete. But when it is brought by the fleet to Jerusalem, it represents learned teachers. "[[1]]

The main symbolism of the peacock is pride and vanity, when it's tail is displayed.

But the peacock can also represent learned teachers, as "The peacock has hard flesh, resistant to decay, which can only with difficulty be cooked over a fire by a cook, or can scarcely be digested in the stomach, because of the heat of its liver. Such are the minds of teachers; they neither burn with the flame of desire, nor are they set alight by the heat of lust."[[2]]

A peacock with its tail down (rather than displayed) can be a sign of humility, of restraining one's pride as the peacock resists displaying it's tail.

Apes

Apes represent the mockers

Turtledove

The turtledove symbolises fidelity.

Dragon

The dragon - the serpent of Adam and Eve - strangles its prey, and as biggest of all the snakes is closest to the devil. It eats the dove as the devil devours the soul of sinners.

Phoenix

As the phoenix rises from the ashes, so is it a sign of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. This particular symbol was specifically associated with the resurrection of Jesus - in other times, it held a more general meaning of renewal.

Sources:

• [Aberdeen Bestiary].