Appearance versus reality

“It is clear from the many bones found in and near Mithraea that Mithras’ worshippers followed this example by dining and, especially, drinking together, but their sacrifices consisted mainly of suckling pigs and chickens, not bulls. In other words, the bull banquet represents the ideal sacrifice, not the real practice: representation of ritual and its actual practice should not be confused.”—Initiation into the Mysteries of the Ancient World, page 154

<idle musing>
So the problem of appearance versus reality isn't a new one! This is about the cult of Mithras, the bull-slayer. Maybe he didn't really slay the bull—just a chicken! : )
</idle musing>