The thing (80v & 82r)

[Koen G]

Since the Voynich Zodiacal signs are consistent with the astronomical / astrological iconography common in the XV Century (the two fish, bull, virgin girl, feline, human archer etc), wouldn't it be surprising that the constellation is represented in such an unrecognizable way?

That is of course true, though I wouldn't call the iconography of the Zodiac section "common" - but that is a separate discussion.

I think that most people would agree that the VM in general is either a rather creative work that alters mainstream imagery, or a product of an otherwise unattested tradition. So I try to explain as many elements as possible.

I believe that for the "narrative" bathing folios (the non-pool-ones, where the illustrations are mostly in the margins), this can be best done by describing them as showing constellations and a somewhat related myth simultaneously. Hence most of the "actors" are people - though I think it helps to see them as mannequins, meaning that their bodily appearance is subordinate to the attributes and pose.

As you know, the "why" is not always the easiest question, even in "normal" manuscripts. My best guess is that it has been done for mnemonic purposes.