Art, obsession, and identity
Reindeer, or caribou, live in the Arctic tundra and damp forest regions of the Northern Hemisphere. The species are known for their magnificent antlers.
A hoofed mammal belonging to the same family as the horse, the donkey was domesticated in Africa some 5,000–7,000 years ago and continues to be used mainly as a working animal. Donkeys are in fact the original beasts of burden.
Perfectly adapted to the cold, inhospitable conditions found within the Arctic Circle, the polar bear is sadly classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
The robin, more specifically the European robin, is widely found across Europe, east to Western Siberia, and south to North Africa. The American robin is the most abundant bird in North America.
Partridges enjoy a wide native distribution throughout parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. Several species have been introduced to the Americas. Many are popular as game birds.
The European turtle dove is a migratory species whose range covers most of Europe and the Middle East. It winters south of the Sahara. According the IUCN Red List, the bird is classified as Vulnerable.
An iconic symbol of the desert, the camel is well adapted to its hot, dry environment. There are three species: the one-humped dromedary (pictured) makes up 94% of the world's camel population, and the two-humped Bactrian camel makes up 6%. The wild Bactrian camel is a separate species native to Central Asia and is now cited by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as Critically Endangered.
Sheep have been kept as domesticated livestock as far back as 11,000 BCE, reared for meat, milk, wool, and skins. The ancient Greek civilization relied on sheep as primary livestock. The Romans later refined the practice of raising sheep.
The goat is one of the oldest domesticated species of animal, kept as livestock for at least 10,000 years. Its wild cousin originates from Southwest Asia and Eastern Europe.
This diminutive passerine is the most common breeding bird in the United Kingdom. The wren family numbers 88 species found all over the world and favoring a wide range of habitats.
Penguins are aquatic flightless birds that live almost exclusively in the Southern Hemisphere.
The ox is another traditional beast of burden, used as a draft animal (trained to perform tasks) for centuries. In fact, oxen are thought to have first been harnessed and put to work around 4000 BCE.
Native to much of Eurasia and North Africa, the wild boar has also been introduced to the Americas. A game animal, the species has also been successfully domesticated and has long been a food source.
Chickens are one of the most common and widespread domestic animals, with billons reared across the world. Roosters are male chickens.
The animals have been associated with Christmas since the 19th century, when the first mention of flying reindeer pulling Santa's sleigh appeared in the 1823 poem 'The Night Before Christmas.' The work, attributed to the American writer Clement Clark Moore, was originally published as 'A Visit from St. Nicholas.'
The donkey is closely associated with Christmas as the animal Mary and Joseph supposedly used during their long trek to Bethlehem. While the Gospels do not specifically mention this, the image of the animal in many nativity scenes reinforces the idea.
The domestic turkey is a popular form of poultry, typically enjoyed as part of a Christmas feast in Great Britain and other English-speaking countries, as well as a Thanksgiving meal in the United States and Canada. The bird often appears alongside the goose—another festive treat—on Christmas and New Year cards.
There are numerous species of wild geese found across the world. Among those seen in Europe are the brent goose, barnacle goose, and snow goose. In North America, the Canada goose, graylag goose, and emperor goose are commonly seen.
The domestic goose is a popular Christmas meal alternative to turkey, especially in Germanic languages countries. 'Christmas is Coming,' a traditional 19th-century English nursery rhyme and Christmas song, goes as such: Christmas is coming, the geese are getting fat/ Please put a penny in the old man's hat/ If you haven't got a penny, a ha'penny will do/ If you haven't got a ha'penny, then God bless you!
The partridge is well known at Christmas for being included in the 18th-century English Christmas carol 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.' In the repetitious lyrics, the bird and a pear tree are received as a gift on the first day of Christmas.
The Three Wise Men from the Gospel of Matthew are said to have traveled to Bethlehem on camels bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. The animals and their biblical passengers are often included in nativity scenes.
Rare is a nativity scene without sheep. In the Gospel of Luke, angels announce the birth of Jesus to a group of shepherds who are tending to their flock. In Christian tradition, this is seen to represent Jesus as if he were the sacrificial lamb of God.
While less ubiquitous than sheep as a creature of Christmas, the animal plays a significant role in Scandinavia and other parts of Northern Europe as the Yule Goat—tokens placed under trees as festive ornaments created from straw and bound with red ribbons, or made as larger representations frequently erected in towns and cities during the festive season.
The wren's association with Christmas is tied to the celebration known as Wren Day. Held on December 26 in Ireland and in a number of countries across Europe, the festival sees groups of mummers, or strawboys, celebrating the bird— seen in Celtic mythology as a symbol of the past year—by dressing up in masks, straw suits, and colorful harlequin-type garb and parading from house to house with their musical instruments to be rewarded with a glass of extra strong porter beer. Pictured is the ceremony taking place in 1955.
As with the polar bear, the penguin is associated with Christmas simply for its penchant for cold climates. It's a favorite symbol of winter, appearing on Christmas cards often alongside said bear and reindeer.
The ox is often seen keeping a donkey company in nativity scenes. Both animals are mentioned in the Book of Isaiah.
In a similar tradition to the Yule goat, the Yule boar plays a part in Christmas celebrations in Nordic countries. In days gone by, a boar would be sacrificed to Freyr, the Norse god of Yule and fertility. And while pork remains a traditional festive dish in Norway, you're also likely to find a colorful trinket resembling the animal served up as part of a decorative gift.
Roosters are symbolic of many meanings. In Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking countries around the world, a Misa de Gallo ("Rooster's Mass") is usually celebrated on Christmas Eve as a Midnight Mass. Pictured is one such celebration in the Philippines.
Sources: (Christianity.com) (Bible Hub) (IUCN Red List) (WWF) (CBC) (Statista)
See also: What is the meaning and significance of Midnight Mass?
Although the polar bear isn't directly linked to the story of Christmas, the animal is closely associated with snow and often appears as a symbol of winter on Christmas cards, suitably wrapped up against the chilly weather.
Popular legend suggests that the robin's breast is red because of its association with Christ's death and crucifixion, stained as such after the bird plucked a thorn from Christ's temple and a drop of Jesus' blood fell on the its chest, turning it red.
The turtle dove is also included in the lyrics to 'The Twelve Days of Christmas.' These twin birds represent the Old and New Testaments.
The hen, more specifically the French hen, or Faverolles, is a breed of female chicken from northwestern France originally bred for both eggs and meat but now primarily raised for exhibition.
'The Twelve Days of Christmas' continues with the giving of three French hens. These birds represent faith, hope, and love.
Native to North America, wild turkeys are among the largest birds in their ranges. The domestic turkey was raised in Central Mexico and subsequently imported to Europe by the Spanish in the 16th century.
Christmas brings with it mentions of several animals that appear to a play central part in festive season celebrations. Some creatures like the donkey and the camel are referenced in the Bible. Others represent gifts in the lyrics of hymns, carols, and nursery rhymes. A few have their meaning steeped in myth and legend, while a couple owe their association with Yuletide simply because they live in cold climates. Whatever the reason, these animals are loved for their cherished affinity with the annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. But what exactly is their role, and why are they so symbolic?
Click through and meet the animals most associated with Christmastime.
Animals most associated with Christmas
Creatures that play a role in the festive season
LIFESTYLE Animal kingdom
Christmas brings with it mentions of several animals that appear to a play central part in festive season celebrations. Some creatures like the donkey and the camel are referenced in the Bible. Others represent gifts in the lyrics of hymns, carols, and nursery rhymes. A few have their meaning steeped in myth and legend, while a couple owe their association with Yuletide simply because they live in cold climates. Whatever the reason, these animals are loved for their cherished affinity with the annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ. But what exactly is their role, and why are they so symbolic?
Click through and meet the animals most associated with Christmastime.