Tradition: Italian Mythology
Alternative Names: Hippocervus
Category: Horse, Deer

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The Myth

The Hippocervus is a fantastical hybrid creature combining the nature of a horse and a deer. Its forepart is that of a horse, while its hind part is that of a stag.

A curious Hippocervus was reportedly presented in 1534 by Frederick, Duke of Mantua, to Francis the Great. The creature could be saddled and bridled, but it would always throw off its rider and trample him.

The Hippocervus is also described symbolically as representing a person who is extremely indecisive and absent-minded. It constantly struggles between its horse and deer natures, unable to settle upon one or the other.

The creature therefore serves as a symbol of a cowardly and hesitant person who rushes toward uncertain paths without thinking and soon loses his way. One description compares it to a man who throws himself without reflection into uncertain paths, only to despair after having lost himself in them.

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Sources

“Gipocerv.” New Bestiary (Bestiary.us). Accessed September 5, 2026. https://www.bestiary.us/gipocerv

“Griffin, or Gryphon.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Ninth Edition. 1879. Reproduced by Wikisource. Accessed September 5, 2026. https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/Encyclop%C3%A6dia_Britannica%2C_Ninth_Edition/Griffin

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