The dolphin, ape, ermine, stag, rabbit, donkey, camel, fox, and rat represent hidden meanings in Medieval and Renaissance paintings.

What do the following creatures stand for in Medieval and Renaissance Christian art?

1. The dolphin

The dolphin's seeming intelligence and playfulness have long been a source of fascination to humans. The dolphin is a common figure in art, especially in the pose of its graceful leap. Its symbolism is drawn from ancient Greek and Roman mythology where the dolphin was regarded as a spirit who led souls into the underworld. In Christian art, the dolphin represents a guider of souls into paradise and thus symbolizes the Resurrection and Salvation.

2. The ape

The ape is a symbol of the lower nature of man and represents lust, sexual promiscuity, and malice.

3. The ermine

The ermine, a mammal related to the weasel, represented a status symbol because wearing its fur was restricted to royalty and nobility. It is also a symbol of chastity and virtue because according to legend the animal would rather die than soil its pure white coat. Queen Elizabeth I, the Virgin Queen, was painted holding an ermine as a symbol of her purity.

4. The stag

Because the stag, or deer, will not fight unless provoked, it has come to symbolize peace or harmony. Ancient Christians also used the stag as a symbol for Christ himself since it is a natural enemy of the serpent. According to ancient legend, stags draw snakes from their holes by their breath and then trample them underfoot.

5. The hare

Ancient legend holds that, because it is quiet and lacks self-assertiveness, the rabbit represents humility. In more contemporary times, the rabbit is depicted as a trickster in the mode of Brer Rabbit because it is quick, clever, and ambitious. Because of its fertility (one doe can produce 42 young a year), in Greek and Roman mythology the rabbit is a symbol of abundance, sexuality, lust, and rampant growth. The rabbit's alert nature, speed, and natural timidity made it a Christian symbol of vigilance and the need to flee from sin and temptation.

6. The ass

In Greek mythology the ass is associated with Bacchus, who is often represented as coming to mankind riding on an ass; when traveling around the world to teach people agriculture Bacchus once arrived at a lake and on one of his two asses which he met carried him safely across (in gratitude he placed them both in the heavens as a constellation). The donkey is a symbol of religious humility. This animal is considered "simple of the heart" and helps guide the faithful to God and heaven. Saint Francis is known for his piety and his choice of the qualities of poverty and charity. He also loved the natural world. In Giovanni Bellini’s painting St Francis in the Desert we can see the donkey represented among many animals that populate the painting in symbols that would have been known to those of his timeframe.

7. The camel

The camel is highly valued in Middle Eastern cultures and represents obedience, temperance, patience, and indefatigable stamina. A camel was a sign of wealth in the ancient world; their rich trappings, even during the Renaissance, were used to indicate royalty and prosperity. The three wise men are usually shown riding camels to Bethlehem, where the beasts knelt to worship the Christ Child; according to legend, the wise men's camels journeyed to Bethlehem without food, water, or rest in order to reach the Child in only twelve or thirteen days.

8. The fox

Because it blends into its surroundings, the fox has the reputation of being sly, cunning, and clever. Therefore the fox is a symbol of a creature that will use all its wit or wisdom for its own defense.

9. The rat

The rat is a symbol of decay and the passing of time.

Source:

Bailey, Colin J. The Art Quiz Book: 2000+ Questions on Painters and Paintings. Station Press: Scotland, 1995.