VMs (f80v) critter identified

[R. Sale]

All sorts of classical influences were present. Christine de Pisan's "the Knight's Book" (IIRC) has several illustrations of classical deities seated on rainbows. Rainbows are another maker of divinity, along with cloud-bands and the vesica piscis. 

Having the date, location and author for the "Apocalypse of S. Jean" should give us a good reference point, but it doesn't seem to help so far. There are various apocalyptic illustrations that have some similar elements, but as yet no confirming image that has all three elements: Lamb / cosmic boundary / droplets. How did Colin Chadelve get that idea? And how did something very similar get into the VMs??

I do not believe the sheep / goat differentiation comes into play for the VMs representation. Ambiguity is close enough.

I don't subscribe to the 'dechristianization' hypothesis. I believe the VMs was intentionally made to look 'foreign', as in being produced by a culture which would be unfamiliar to one and all, as seen at the time of its creation. And as such, its solution, though tempting and taunting, is practically impossible. It is only through finding certain, hidden clues which fit with traditional knowledge that our understanding can be expanded. Some of these are religious, but may also be historical or scientific (cosmos).

Persons in the time of the VMs parchment dates have two potentially significant differences from modern investigators. They could well be more familiar with the traditions of their time and less demanding in their standards of "proof'. What we see as potential / debatable signs, indicators or suggestions were to them clear evidence of connection. And so these clues  were hidden and disguised by the VMs artist. And what might have appeared to them as potential signs, indicators or suggestions often appear to us as ambiguous, unclear, unknown and unseen. Recently, however, certain examples seem to indicate potential rules for VMs illustrations: Maintain traditional structure and follow the pattern; Maximize visual diversity using ambiguity and disguise.

In this way, those who rely solely on superficial appearance and visual similarity will fail. The path to understanding is found in the similarity of structure, which is the underlying reality.