Italian Cow Mythology

Tranez

by

Tradition: Roman Mythology, Italian Mythology, Indian Mythology, Chinese Mythology
Alternative names: Tranez
Category: Cow

The Myth

The Tranez is a small but extraordinarily brave creature, about the size of a hare. Despite its diminutive stature, it possesses remarkable strength and fearlessness.

The Tranez has striking red fur and a natural helmet-like covering on its head. This hard covering protects it from bites, blows, and other dangers in the wild.

The creature was said to inhabit the Orient, referring to the distant lands of the East, including regions extending from India toward China. These lands were traditionally imagined as remote and wondrous places filled with unfamiliar animals, plants, and other marvels.

The Tranez’s small body but exceptional courage was regarded as an example of the Creator’s careful design, demonstrating that every creature was given qualities suited to its particular way of life.

Sources

Van Maerlant, J. (2024). Der Naturen Bloeme (I. Biesheuvel, Trans.), p.74.

Forest Bull

by

Tradition / Region: Roman Mythology, Italian Mythology
Alternative names: Ethiopian Bull, Ethiopian Forest Bull, Taurus Aethiopicus, Taurus Aethiopicus Sylvestris
Category: Cow

The Myth

The Forest Bull is a gigantic, tawny-colored breed of wild cattle said to live in the forests of Ethiopia. It is twice the size of an ordinary bull, with red hair, an enormous mouth that opens almost to its ears, and horns capable of turning in any direction. Once raised for combat, its horns remain fixed in that position.

According to ancient accounts, the Forest Bull is one of the fiercest and most savage animals in the world. It is a flesh-eater that hunts herds of wild animals and horses. It is also extraordinarily fast and possesses such great strength that no ordinary weapon can injure it. Spears and arrows are unable to penetrate its hide, while iron weapons are said to rebound from its body.

The Forest Bull uses its movable horns as weapons when fighting. It raises them before attacking and can face an opponent from almost any direction.

Herdsmen living in regions inhabited by the Forest Bulls devised a way to protect their livestock. They dug deep ditches in the ground and allowed the animals to fall into them. Once trapped, the furious bulls were unable to escape and eventually choked on their own rage.

The Troglodytae, a neighboring people who lived in caves, regarded the Forest Bull as the king of beasts. They considered it worthy of the title because it possessed the courage of a lion, the speed of a horse, the strength of a bull, and a hide stronger than iron.

Sources

“Forest Bull.” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed August 15, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forest_Bull

Bonacon

by

Tradition / Region: Roman mythology, Italian Mythology
Alternate Names: Bonnacon
Category: Cow

The Myth

The Bonacon is a strange and powerful beast, shaped like a great bull with a broad chest, thick hide, and heavy limbs. Around its neck hangs a mane like that of a horse, and its head is unmistakably bovine. Yet its horns, though impressive in size, are twisted inward and curl back upon themselves, useless for combat.

When threatened, the Bonacon does not charge or fight. Instead, it flees.

As it runs, the creature unleashes its true defense. From its body pours a vast stream of burning filth, hurled far behind it with astonishing force. The discharge scorches the earth like fire, filling the air with unbearable heat and stench. Anything it touches is seared, and hunters who pursue the beast are driven back in pain and terror, unable to continue the chase.

Thus the Bonacon escapes without ever turning to face its enemies, leaving them burned and humiliated while it vanishes into the distance. Its survival lies not in strength or weapons, but in a defense so foul and overwhelming that no pursuer dares follow for long.

Sources

Pliny the Elder. (n.d.). Naturalis Historia, Book 8, Chapter 16.

Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Bonnacon. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bonnacon