Birds that Symbolized Christianity in the Middle Ages

Birds represented the soul in medieval thought, capable of winging above worldly cares and possessions to reach God. The concept isn't hard to grasp. It ia, in fact, unforgettable. Individual birds took on special meanings in the Middle Ages, just as they do today. Some of the most notable are listed below and may surprise you.

This article is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt

Birds that Symbolized Christianity in the Middle Ages

Crane

When the lead crane tired during flight, that bird would drop to the rear of the flock, to be replaced by another. The first thus became last, an example of humility. Christians also looked to cranes for a reminder of vigilance. This connection began with Pliny the Elder, a Roman naturalist, who taught that a single crane clutching a stone in its claw kept watch over the flock at night. If the feathered sentry began to fall asleep, the stone would fall and wake the crane. In medieval heraldry, a crane holding a stone became the very image of watchfulness.  

Dove

Found in the pages of the Bible, the dove represented the Holy Spirit, peace and purity in the Middle Ages as it does today.

Eagle

It was once believed that eagles flew near the sun, then plunged into water to renew their plumage and restore their youth. This idea was based on Psalm 103:5: “…so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.” (World English Bible) This association made the eagle a symbol of resurrection, new life, and Christ Himself.

Falcon

The falcon had two interpretations in the Middle Ages. As a persistent hunter, the wild falcon brought to mind evil thoughts and actions. However, the domesticated falcon represented the gentile converted to Christianity. This duality makes clear the peril of those separated from God and the mercy of God’s grace in offering salvation to all mankind.

Goldfinch

Because of a fondness for thistles thorns, the tiny goldfinch became a powerful symbol of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ in dying to save lost sinners.
  

Peacock

In ancient times, people suggested that peacock flesh would not decay. The birds were thought to be immortal. Peacocks shed and regrow their tail feathers, a feat that reminded people of the death and resurrection of Christ.

Pelican

In the Middle Ages, pelicans were considered attentive to their young. A pelican who brought no food to the nest might even wound itself so its young could dine upon their parent’s blood. The pelican thus symbolized the passion of Christ, who poured out his blood for a starving world.

Deutsch: Friedrich Justin Bertuch, Bilderbuch für Kinder, 1790-1830 (Eigenbesitz), Fabelwesen.by Bertuch-fabelwesen.JPG: Friedrich Johann Justin Bertuch (1747-1822)derivative work: Tsaag Valren (Bertuch-fabelwesen.JPG) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Phoenix

Introduced into Christianity possibly during the first century, the Phoenix was a mythical bird of surpassing beauty from the Egyptian dessert. This bird was said to burn itself on a funeral pyre, only to rise from its ashes, restored to youth and ready to live out another long lifespan. Popular in medieval art, the phoenix represented the death and resurrection of Christ.  

Note from the Author

Maybe it’s because I write allegorical fiction, but symbolism fascinates me. The creatures and objects chosen to represent Christian spiritual concepts, the Christian Church, and in many cases, Christ Himself, reveal a lot about medieval culture. Needless to say, I’m hooked on this study. Every third month I'll offer a new post on this topic.

About Janalyn Voigt

Janalyn Voigt offers readers a unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and whimsy. She creates breathtaking fictional worlds for readers. Known for her vivid writing, this multi-faceted author writes in the western historical romance, medieval epic fantasy, and romantic suspense genres.

Janalyn is represented by Wordserve Literary Agency. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA. When she's not writing, she loves to garden and explore the great outdoors with her family.

Learn about Tales of Faeraven, medieval epic fantasy from the pen of Janalyn Voigt

Animals in Medieval Heraldry

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As an author of allegorical Christian fantasy set in the middle ages, I am perhaps more tuned in to symbolism than the average person. That's whay I'm blaming for my fascination with medieval heraldry, anyway. Animals, important symbols in medievel heraldry, were divided into natural classifications like beasts, birds, sea creatures, and others. For purposes of brevity, I'll focus here on the most popular heraldic beasts found in nature. I cover mythical creatures and their symbolism at Fantasy Worlds, my fantasy book extras site.

By far the animal most often used in medieval heraldry was the lion, depicted standing erect with forepaws raised. One lower leg might also be raised as well. All heraldic beasts can most often be found in this rampant position. This was not necessarily how the animal represented would actually hold itself, but experience of exotic heraldic animals was limited, and rampant position seemed most natural to medieval artists.

Other beasts occurring often in heraldry include the wolf, bear, boar, horse, bull, and stag. All were used to convey specific meanings.

Symbolism of Popular Animals in Medieval Heraldry

Bear: represented a great warrior in Celtic heraldry and also served as the royal emblem for Persia and Russia. It was used to convey skill in diplomacy, strength, courage, and ferocity in defense. The bear also symbolized health.

Boar: stood for intrepidness and fierceness in combat. Even when cornered and at bay, a boar never stops fighting, so only the fiercest of warriors displayed this animal.

Bull: signaled courage, generosity, strength, and fortitude. It was also used to indicate a dedicated father.

Horse: symbol of speed, intellect, spirit, power, bravery, virility, and loyalty. It was used to show readiness for battle.

Lion: The lion displays the deathless courage of a valiant warrior, majesty, strength, justice, military might. The heraldic lion also symbolizes Christ due to a quaint notion of their compassion. They were said to attack man only and to spare women and children. Another source of the lion as a symbol of Christ is the Bible, itself, which describes the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. "Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals" Revelations 5:5 (NIV).

Stag: This emblem of the ancestors of the Celtic race shows the wisdom not to fight unless provoked. A favorite in Ireland, it is a symbol of peace and harmony, purity and fleetness. Its branch-like antlers are said to represent the Tree of Life. The regenerating of its antlers also makes the stag representative of renewal. The stag was also used as a symbol of healing.

Wolf: Symbolic of ferocious strength, intelligence, and bravery, the wolf was thought to be able to paralyze its enemies with a look. A wolf crest was granted for loyal military service in a guardianship capacity.

I've covered the most popular heraldic animals. Do you have a favorite?

Below you will find links for further study and to look up your own family's coat of arms, if one exists. Discovering the meanings it contains can be very enlightening when considered in light of your family history.

About Janalyn Voigt

Escape into creative worlds of fiction with Janalyn Voigt. Her unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries the reader into a land only imagined in dreams.

Janalyn is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA.

When she's not writing, Janalyn loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors.

Visit the author site for Janalyn Voigt
Further Reading

http://www.internationalheraldry.com/

http://www.hallofnames.org.uk/heraldry-symbols-what-they-mean

http://www.dksdesigns.net/symbolism.html


Research Your Family's Coat of Arms

http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp/qx/faq.htm

Symbolism of Crosses in Medieval Heraldry

This post is brought to you by Janalyn Voigt.

Medieval heraldry arose in Europe during the 12th-century Crusades as knights adopted coats of arms that both displayed their rank and served as a form of identification required for entering tournaments. These ornamental badges were highly regimented and contained symbolic shapes, colors, and figures.

One of the emblems most often used in coats of arms was the cross. Numerous versions, some believe as many as 400, existed. Besides representing the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, the crosses were embued with additional meaning. The four arms represented:

• the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.
• the four corners of the earth where the gospel must be spread.

The Greek Cross, with four arms of the same length, is one of the oldest crosses.

The Latin Cross has the lower arm extended and is the one that we often see today. While both were used in medieval heraldry, more popular crosses included.

The Cross Botonny has three rounded lobes at the end of each arm, forming a trefoil which speaks of the Trinity, the faith, hope, and love of 1 Corinthians 13; and Aaron's staff, which budded (Numbers 17). The name comes from a French term meaning “covered with buds.”

The ends of the Cross Fleury are splayed in a flowery shape, usually a Fleur-de-lis, or stylized lily or iris. This cross reminds us of the Trinity and the resurrection.

With the Cross Moline, the arms split at the ends and curve backwards to remind us of the twofold nature of Christ. He was fully man and fully God.

Each arm of the Cross Potent ends in a crossbar, forming a T shape. This is a symbol of Christ's outstretched arms as He died to save us from our sins.

The Cross Patee had arms that went from narrow to wide.The points of this cross symbolize the eight beatitudes found in Matthew 5:12; the eight points of courage (loyalty, piety, generosity, bravery, honor, contempt of death, helpfulness to the needy, and respect for the church); and also the resurrection of Christ, who rose from the grave eight days after He entered Jerusalem.

The Cross Maltese derived from the Cross Patee and is often confused with it. The Maltese has straight arms and indents at the ends. It holds the same meanings.

The arms of the Cross Crosslet are each crossed to tell of the fourfold mystery of the cross: that Christ's death was at once sacrificial, forgiving, loving, and victorious.

I've only touched the surface on this topic. You can learn more about the crosses of medieval heraldry and view images of each type at the end of this post.

So, tell me, which of the crosses I've featured is your favorite?

About Janalyn Voigt

Escape into creative worlds of fiction with Janalyn Voigt. Her unique blend of adventure, romance, suspense, and fantasy creates worlds of beauty and danger for readers. Tales of Faeraven, her epic fantasy series beginning with DawnSinger, carries the reader into a land only imagined in dreams.

Janalyn is represented by Sarah Joy Freese of Wordserve Literary. Her memberships include ACFW and NCWA.

When she's not writing, Janalyn loves to discover worlds of adventure in the great outdoors.

Visit the author site for Janalyn Voigt

http://celebrateyourfaithblog.com/2010/07/early-and-medieval-church-cross-forms-and-their-meanings/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charge_(heraldry)
http://www.scottish-wedding-dreams.com/heraldic-crosses.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christian_cross
http://www.holylandtreasuresonline.com/Store/Content/ResourceArticle/-3/1/21.html
http://www.lutheransonline.com/servlet/lo_ProcServ/dbpage=page&mode=display&gid=20052995655655607101111555&pg=20053040942236960101111555