The yale or centicore (Latin: eale) is a mythical beast found in European mythology and heraldry.
Contents
1 Description
1.1 Heraldic symbol
2 References
3 External links
Description
Most descriptions make it an antelope- or goat-like four-legged creature with the tusks of a boar and large horns that it can swivel in any direction.
The name might be derived from Hebrew ΧΦΈΧ’Φ΅Χ (yael), meaning "ibex".
The yale was first written about by Pliny the Elder in Book VIII of his Natural History. He describes the eale as a creature found in Aethiopia: "it is the size of the river-horse, has the tail of the elephant, and is of a black or tawny colour. It has also the jaws of the wild boar, and horns that are moveable, and more than a cubit in length, so that, in fighting, it can employ them alternately, and vary their position by presenting them directly or obliquely, according as necessity may dictate."[1] The creature passed into medieval bestiaries and heraldry, where it represents proud defence.