04-01-2017, 09:07 AM
No, they definitely aren't all water animals. The monkey even has appropriate monkey feet 
(See this post for how I think this all works: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. )
But the monkey is on the verso side - it is possible that the recto side is water themed. At least the grouping of three tentacle-animals can't be a coincidence. But I think there are also birds and so on.
What I find fascinating is that you won't find many octopus images in medieval manuscripts, let alone three similar creatures. Some first-hand experience is the best explanation, since the shapes are remarkably accurate even though they are worked into plant drawings.
(See this post for how I think this all works: You are not allowed to view links. Register or Login to view. ) But the monkey is on the verso side - it is possible that the recto side is water themed. At least the grouping of three tentacle-animals can't be a coincidence. But I think there are also birds and so on.
What I find fascinating is that you won't find many octopus images in medieval manuscripts, let alone three similar creatures. Some first-hand experience is the best explanation, since the shapes are remarkably accurate even though they are worked into plant drawings.