It's a falcon on 80v - with Chaucer's magical ring

[SherriMM]

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In this post, I identify the animal on folio 80v as a falcon (not an armadillo or dragon, etc). I also draw connection with Chaucer's story of The Squire's Tale - in which a princess receives a magical ring that gives her the ability to understand all animals and to know the curing power of herbs, which she uses to heal an injured falcon. Please follow the link for the full explanation. 

I am not necessarily saying that this story of Chaucer's appears in the Voynich, but that perhaps they both drew of an earlier tradition....but also that this animal is totally a falcon. 

Your thoughts?

All the best, 
Sherri

[JoJo_Jost]

The animal in the VMS has three visible legs, and a fourth is hidden by its body. Unfortunately, that contradicts your theory

[medievalmaxxer]

I do think the distinction between feathers and scales is interesting, but as JoJo said earlier, the animal has more than two legs, which is obviously a big, glaring issue for a bird theory. As always, it could be an abstract falcon, but all species with feathers are tetrapods with two legs and two wings, so it's a stretch. Interesting parallel, though!

[Koen G]

Assuming feathers also doesn't solve the issue that the pattern runs backwards. Both scales and feathers are "tiled" from top to bottom.

[Linda]

Sherri, you said that the artist made a mistake and partially erased the third leg. May I ask which is the third, because I can still see all three. Do you mean the one closest to the face? Because I do think that one is kind of wrong, although i think it is suposed to be there. And then you have the bending over stance. But as others pointed out, even if you ruffle a bird's feathers, they go back the other way, so what would this mean? Also, it would seem to be looking out of both sides of its face, with the eye in the middle. I generally see a type of wild goat, looks like horns to me, what would it be on a bird? A cock's comb maybe? Well, not for a Peregrine Falcon. 
Perhaps some kind of semi animation where two faces at once convey movement?

[SherriMM]

I do think the distinction between feathers and scales is interesting, but as JoJo said earlier, the animal has more than two legs, which is obviously a big, glaring issue for a bird theory. As always, it could be an abstract falcon, but all species with feathers are tetrapods with two legs and two wings, so it's a stretch. Interesting parallel, though!

I think you are forgetting about the many mythical hybrid animals throughout medieval manuscripts, and earlier. Creatures like griffins that were half falcon with wings and four legs, for example. I attached an image for reference. Just more to think about.

[SherriMM]

Sherri, you said that the artist made a mistake and partially erased the third leg. May I ask which is the third, because I can still see all three. Do you mean the one closest to the face? Because I do think that one is kind of wrong, although i think it is suposed to be there. And then you have the bending over stance. But as others pointed out, even if you ruffle a bird's feathers, they go back the other way, so what would this mean? Also, it would seem to be looking out of both sides of its face, with the eye in the middle. I generally see a type of wild goat, looks like horns to me, what would it be on a bird? A cock's comb maybe? Well, not for a Peregrine Falcon. 
Perhaps some kind of semi animation where two faces at once convey movement?

Hi Linda, 
Yes I meant the leg closest to the face. I still think the creature closely resembles a falcon - or griffin (a male griffin that would not have wings). Perhaps the author left instruction for a gryfalcon and the illustrator took it to mean griffin? The "upside down" scales / feathers are hard to reconcile. Right now I'm looking at earlier traditions of the magical ring story, especially that of King Solomon, and would love more ideas.