Iceland | 1981 | 10 Aurar | Grioungur bull

 

“Grioungur,” the bull



A bull is an intact adult male of cattle; the female is a cow, while castrated males are called steers, oxen, or bullocks, though usage varies by region. Terms such as micky (a wild young bull in Australia), stag (a poorly or late-castrated male), and rig (an incompletely castrated male) are used in various countries. “Bull” can also refer to males of other large animals like bison, buffalo, elephants, and whales. Bulls are more muscular than cows, with heavier bones, larger heads, and often a mane of curly hair, features that aid in fighting for breeding access. Bull horns are usually thicker and shorter than cows’, though both sexes may have horns depending on breed and management. Castrated males resemble females but can grow taller with strong shoulders.

“Grioungur,” the bull, is one of Iceland’s four traditional guardian spirits depicted on the reverse of older Icelandic coins known as the “Icelander” series. Alongside the eagle (Gammur), dragon (Dreki), and giant (Bergrisi), the bull symbolizes protection of the nation. Grioungur appears on several historical coins, including the 1 króna (1957–1975), 5 krónur (1969–1980), and 10 krónur (1984–1994), making the bull emblem a distinctive feature of these issues.


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