The Worshipful animals The association between men and animals may have developed out of the belief in the transmigration of souls In many cultures the souls of dead kings in particular are thought to migrate into animals and sometimes living kings may be embodied in them A trace of this idea survives in European heraldry The Emperor Henry VI of Germany with eagle blazon Manessische Liederhandschrift 14th century Portrait of Henry VI from the Codex Manesse (folio 6r, ca. 1300)