Bestiary

A bestiary is a collection or book that describes various animals, often blending factual information with myth and symbolism. Historically, bestiaries provided insights into creatures both real and imaginary, serving purposes in education, moral teaching, and entertainment. They often include illustrations and stories that reflect cultural beliefs and perceptions of animals during the time they were created. Today, the term can also refer to any compilations or catalogs of creatures, real or fantastical, used across literature and media. Overall, a bestiary offers a window into how humans have understood and imagined the animal kingdom throughout history.