White stag

otheruses|White Stag

A white stag or white deer is a red deer with a condition known as leucism that causes its hair and skin to lose its natural colour. The white stag has played a prominent role in many cultures' mythology.

Biology

Leucism is a rare genetic pattern that causes a reduction in the pigment of an animal's hair and skin. The natural colour of the red deer ranges from dark red to brown. They are often thought to be albinos; however, unlike albinos, who have characteristically red eyes, deer with leucism have normal colouring in their eyes. It is distinguished biologically from albinism in that it causes a reduced pigmentation in all skin types, and not just melanin.

ymbolism

Myth and legend

White deer hold a place in the mythology of many cultures. The Celtic people considered them to be messengers from the otherworld; it also played an important role in other pre-Indo-European cultures, especially in the north. [cite book|last=Vega|first=Phyllis|authorlink=|title=Celtic Astrology: How the Mystical Power of the Druid Tree Signs Can Transform Your Life|publisher=Career Press|year=2002 Google Book Search books] [http://www.geocities.com/branwaedd/whitestag.html#1 The White Stag] Geocities] The Celts believed that the white stag would appear when one was transgressing a taboo, such as when Pwyll tresspassed into Arawn's hunting grounds. Arthurian legend states that the creature has a perennial ability to evade capture; and that the pursuit of the animal represents mankind's spiritual quest. [cite news | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUKKIM25136920080212?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0| title = Ghost-like white stag spotted in Scotland | publisher = Reuters | date = 2008-02-12] It also signalled that the time was nigh for the knights of the kingdom to pursue a quest.

In Christianity, the white stag was partly responsible for the conversion of the martyr Saint Eustace. Eustace saw a vision of Christ between the stag's antlers and was told that he would suffer for Christ. [ [http://www.catholic-forum.com/saints/sainte17.htm patron Saints: Saint Eustace] Catholic Forum]

The white stag has also been invoked in contemporary society for its symbolism. Robert Baden-Powell, leader of the Scouting movement, spoke to Scouts at the 1933 World Jamboree in Gödöllő, Hungary, about the white stag:

Today, the Hungarian branch of Scouts uses the white stag as a symbol. The white stag is also prevalent in Hungarian mythology; it was believed that a white stag led the brothers Hunor and Magor to Scythia, an action which preceded the formation of the Hun and Magyar people. The White Stag Leadership Development Program bases much of its spirit and traditions on the white stag of Hungarian mythology.

Reasons for symbolism

The colour white has long been associated with purity; and in Celtic culture, the colour also represented the otherworld. In modern society, people have acted to protect the white stag as a vestige of beauty, and the hunting of the white stag has often met with anger, because of its rare and elusive nature. [cite news | url = http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cornwall/7064650.stm | title = 'Disgust' over white stag death | publisher = BBC News | date = 2007-10-26] [cite news | url = http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/10/27/nstag127.xml | title = Rare white stag found shot and beheaded | publisher = The Telegraph | date = 2007-10-29] White can also mean a symbol of peace or a truce. [ [http://www.sensationalcolor.com/content/view/1063/144/ All About White] Sensational colour]

For early man, the deer resprented a valuable resource, providing nourishment, clothing and other accessories; and the deer may have played a role in totemic culture.

In works of fiction

The white stag of Hungarian mythology was the subject of a children's book of the same name. "The White Stag" by Kate Seredy won the prestigious Newbery Medal as the Outstanding American book for children in 1938. This story describes the leadership of Attila—known by history as Attila the Hun, the "Scourge of God"—in their pursuit of a mythical white stag that led them to a new country and home.

The white stag played an important role in C.S. Lewis' The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe novel. The white stag makes two appearances, distinct from each other: it pulls the reigns of the White Witch, but is also responsible for leading the children out of Narnia. It has been suggested that this is a comment on the duality of good and evil.

References

External links

* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/highlands_and_islands/7238534.stm BBC News: 'Ghost-like' white stag spotted]