Transsylvania Nostra Journal

The Lutheran Church of Băgaciu (Szászbogács, Bogeschdorf), a small village situated in a valley close to Târnăveni (Dicsőszentmárton, Sankt Martin), northeast of Mediaș (Medgyes, Mediasch), holds one of the most curious depictions to be found on choir stalls throughout the territory of historical Transylvania. A number of real and imaginary beasts, some of them in combination with vegetal ornaments, adorn the richly decorated choir stall. However, the most striking image is that of an owl, positioned frontally on the stall parapet, which, together with an inscription carved around it, conveys an interesting message to those who can read and understand the text. The article tries to elucidate the possible meaning and use of this depiction by placing the image and text in a broader European context of meaning and connections.