Crocʹodile (3 syl.)

A symbol of deity among the Egyptians, because it is the only aquatic animal, says Plutarch, which has its eyes covered with a thin transparent membrane, by reason of which it sees and is not seen; so God sees all, Himself not being seen. To this he subsequently adds another reason, saying, “The Egyptians worship God symbolically in the crocodile, that being the only animal without a tongue, like the Divine Logos, which standeth not in need of speech.” (De Iside et Osiride, vol. ii. p. 381.)

⁂ Achilles Tatius says, “The number of its teeth equals the number of days in a year.” Another tradition is, that during the seven days held sacred to Apis, the crocodile will harm no one.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.

Crocʹodile (3 syl.)

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