Basilica of St. Andoche, Saulieu

Capita on the fourth pier from the west in the north arcade, depicting fighting bears. In contrast to the lofty biblical themes of most other figurative capitals, this one signifies the bear's fart, which in medieval times was a traditional annoucement of spring. Two bears stand on their hind legs to fight each other, while robed men on the two side faces hold up the bears' (overly-long) tails to draw attention to the main point of the capital. Both men hold a stone or other round object, raised high in their other hand. The bear also symbolizes authority, and the capital may also depict two men claiming authority.