Animals & Birds
Creatures used as religious signs, emblems of character, childhood imagery or personal motifs.
How to use this collection
Creatures used as religious signs, emblems of character, childhood imagery or personal motifs. The collection is organized as an identification aid, not a universal codebook. Compare the full design and verify the result with inscription, date and local records.
Ant
industry, diligence and communal effort
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Ascending Dove
the soul rising, release or passage to heaven
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Bee
industry, community, immortality or a fraternal/occupational emblem
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Beehive
industry, cooperation, order and mutual aid; also used by specific organizations
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Bird in Flight
the soul's flight, freedom or eternal life
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Butterfly
the soul, transformation, resurrection and the shortness of life
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Butterfly Emerging from Chrysalis
transformation from death into renewed spiritual life
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Conch Shell
wisdom, spiritual calling or maritime identity depending on tradition
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Crane
vigilance, longevity, fidelity or cultural identity
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Descending Dove
the Holy Spirit descending, grace or divine presence
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Dog
loyalty, companionship, vigilance or affection for the deceased
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Dolphin
salvation, safe passage and the soul carried to the afterlife in classical-Christian art
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Dove
peace, the Holy Spirit, innocence or the soul
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Dove with Olive Branch
peace, reconciliation and biblical hope after the flood
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Dragon
evil overcome, protection, resurrection or East Asian power depending on cultural context
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Eagle
courage, national or military identity, spiritual ascent, or St. John in Christian art
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Eagle with Spread Wings
protection, national identity, military service or triumphant ascent
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Frog
resurrection, transformation or—within some Christian imagery—worldly sin
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Horse
courage, generosity, military identity, travel or a personal occupation
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Ichthys Fish
Christian faith and identity
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Lamb
innocence, Christ and—frequently—childhood
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Lion
courage, guardianship, resurrection or the power of God
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Nightingale
song, remembrance and poetic grief
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Ouroboros
eternity, cyclical renewal and life without end
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Owl
wisdom, vigilance, night, mourning or a personal/occupational emblem
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Pair of Fish
Christian identity, abundance, family or an aquatic occupation
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Peacock
immortality, resurrection, beauty of the soul and incorruptibility
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Pelican
self-sacrifice and Christ's sacrificial love in medieval Christian symbolism
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Phoenix
rebirth, resurrection and life rising from death
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Raven
mourning, memory, prophecy or a personal literary motif
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Reclining Lion
watchful rest, courage and protection of the tomb
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Robin
hope, remembrance and seasonal renewal
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Rooster
awakening, vigilance, courage or resurrection
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Scallop Shell
pilgrimage, baptism, resurrection and life's journey
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Sea Shell
journey, resurrection, baptism, fertility or a coastal identity
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Sleeping Lamb
a child or innocent soul at rest
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Snake
renewal through shedding, wisdom, danger or sin depending on pose and context
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Spider Web
the passage of time, fragility, neglect or a decorative Gothic motif
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Squirrel with Nut
spiritual striving, preparation or personal affection
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Stag or Deer
faithfulness, spiritual longing, nobility or the soul seeking God
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Stork
birth, family, care and renewal
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Swan
grace, purity, faithful love or the soul's passage
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