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Bassorilievo del Broletto Nuovo con la leggendaria scrofa semilanuta che avrebbe dato origine al nome Mediolanum

Scrofa semilanuta

Latin for half-woollen boar, linked to Mediolanum

A legendary sow seen in a dream that became the ancient emblem of Milan.

Historical

Photo: M.casanova, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A mythical creature described as a half-woollen boar, central to the founding legend of Milan. It was adopted as a civic emblem in the Middle Ages before being replaced by the Visconti biscione. Scholars debate its origins and link to the city's ancient name.

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  • The scrofa semilanuta means half-woollen boar in Latin.
  • A goddess showed the creature to Prince Belloveso in a dream.
  • The symbol replaced earlier tribal emblems of the Bituriges and Aedui.
  • A medieval bas relief at Palazzo della Ragione depicts the beast.
  • Scholars dispute the link between the creature and the name Mediolanum.

What it is

The scrofa semilanuta is a legendary creature described as a half-woollen boar. It features in the founding myth of Milan, Italy. The beast bears long wool on its anterior section. It functioned as the main civic emblem of the city throughout the Middle Ages. The symbol was eventually superseded by the biscione of the House of Visconti.

Where it comes from

Tradition states that the Gaul prince Belloveso established Milan following a visionary dream. A goddess directed him to the location of the new city, revealing the half-woollen sow. Ancient authors including Sidonius Apollinaris and Andrea Alciato proposed a link between the creature and the name Mediolanum. Some texts identify the animal as a chimera formed by the emblems of the Bituriges and Aedui tribes.

Tools and materials

A stone bas relief mounted on the Palazzo della Ragione displays the creature. This medieval artwork copies an older piece discovered during construction from 1228 to 1233. A later depiction resides in the internal courtyard of Palazzo Marino.

Scrofa semilanuta, drawn and placed

Emblem With the hand shape. Drawn from this page, not a photograph.
  1. Living
  2. Revived
  3. Fading
  4. Historical
  5. Legendary
  6. Performed
Standing: Historical Documented in the past; no continuous living tradition today. This says whether people still do it, not whether it works.
An open hand with an eye: the hamsa, or hand of Fatima, a protective sign in Jewish, Muslim and wider North African and Middle Eastern custom.
Lineage
Milanese civic heraldry
Where it sits The tradition it belongs to, and when it is done.

What it is for

The emblem reinforced the civic identity of the medieval commune. Its imagery supported patriotic feelings during the period of Milanese independence.

Who does it

Historians and philologists have analyzed the legend for centuries. Figures such as Datius and Ambrose recorded different versions of the account. Contemporary scholars examine the text to understand the city's past.

Peoples and places

The narrative centers on the Gauls and their migration into the Po Valley. The tribes of the Bituriges and Aedui appear in specific variations of the story. The symbol remains tied to the people of Milan.

At a glance: who, where and when

detail enhanced
detail enhanced. Photo: IMG_3127_Milano_-_La_scrofa_seminaluta_al_Broletto_nuovo_-_Foto_G._Dal, Attribution, via Wikimedia Commons

What people believe

The foundation story depends on a supernatural encounter. The goddess provides a divine sign to guide the settlement. The creature serves as a sacred marker of destiny.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Experts currently reject the etymological connection to Mediolanum. Research suggests the legend developed alongside the bas relief to bolster communal pride. The image may simply represent a common European boar symbol adapted for local use.

Compare and confuse

The scrofa semilanuta is occasionally mistaken for a standard boar. Other accounts merge the ram and boar traits into a single hybrid monster. The name translates directly to half-woollen boar in Latin.

Today

The legend persists in historical discussions and local lore. Representations of the half-woollen sow remain visible in Milan's historic buildings.

Questions people ask about Scrofa semilanuta

What is the scrofa semilanuta?

It is a legendary half-woollen boar from the foundation myth of Milan. The creature appears in stories about the city's early history and served as its primary civic emblem for centuries.

Who saw the creature?

Prince Belloveso reportedly saw it in a dream sent by a goddess. The vision guided him to the location where he would establish the city of Milan.

Why is it controversial?

Scholars argue whether it represents a real animal, a chimera, or a political symbol. Many now reject the idea that it explains the city's ancient name.

Where can it be seen?

Depictions exist on the Palazzo della Ragione and in the courtyard of Palazzo Marino. These structures preserve the visual legacy of the medieval legend.

Good reading and sources

Where this page comes from

The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Scrofa semilanuta", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). EveryJaadu rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.

It may contain mistakes. Names and customs differ from one community to the next, and some knowledge is closed to outsiders and left out here. This page describes belief and practice. It does not say that any of it works, it is not a how-to, and it is not medical advice. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-06.

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Photo credits on this page

The small pictures above come from Wikimedia Commons under free licences. Some are cropped to fit.

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