Christmas is a holiday that marks the birth of Jesus of Christ for most people. It is celebrated by many, pagans and Christians. In fact it ranks most popular holiday with around 1.6 billion cards sent globally, followed by Valentine’s Day then Mother’s Day. It is very interesting to note how many of these cards have animals on them. I’d say most of them but look around you. This is the season anyway.
The association of animals with Christmas stemmed from pagan traditions of animal cults, sacrifices and fertility and the 19th century romanticism by writings of famous authors such as Sr. W. Scott and Charles Dickens.
Credit should also be given to other earlier poets such as Aurelius Prudentius who wrote poets, giving animals human voices on Christmas Eve. This idea has been carried on by many. In fact, Gamma Films created a piece called “The Night When Animals Talked” that was very popular in the 20th century. It was believed that on Christmas Eve, 1 hour before midnight, all animals were granted speech so as to praise Jesus Christ. In Eastern Europe, it was a bad sign to catch them at it and most people avoided the stables and sheds at this hour. The animals mostly associated with this night were farmyard cattle and the Native Americans included a belief that wild deer knelt towards the East in honor.
One of the most popular animals to be put on gift cards is the Robin, associated with kindness and intelligence. The red robin with a fiery, breast was believed to have brought flames to mankind in times of need. Another interesting story is that the robin punctured its breast and it plumaged after trying to remove a thorn from Jesus’ crown of thorns during crucifixion. The robin and Wren are reffered a God’s cock and hen in many writings.
Reindeer are a symbol of fortune and joy. They are believed to have drawn the sleigh that loads Santa’s presents. The rein deer are eight in number and each has its name with leader as Rudolph. Six burly Kangaroos are also believed to have drawn Santa’s sleigh through the sky.
According to the Christian Bible, in the story of Christ’s baptism, a dove flew above Christ’s head before he heard the voice of God. This makes the dove a very holy animal associated with purity. Doves are also a symbol of peace. In the original version of the song, Twelve days of Christmas, two turtle doves are to be given as a present on the second day of Christmas.
The bees and birds are very important during Christmas. They are believed to awaken from sleep on Christmas Eve and hum the Old hundredth song. Birds are very crucial to Christmas from the robin to the humming birds and colly birds. In fact ‘The twelve days of Christmas’ published in 1980 talks about birds throughout the song. On the second day, it talks about turtle doves. On the third day, it talks about hen and on the fourth, geese. The five golden rings referred to in the song means pheasant cocks, the drummers are the grouse and the phrase “Lord a leaping” talks of cock pheasants. In other versions, there is the mention of more birds such as peacocks.
Other animals associated with Christmas are the donkeys that carried Mary, the camels that carried the three kings, the boars whose head are served ceremoniously during Christmas, the raven who according to the Welsh heal the blind, the eagles who have most lecterns in English churches carved in their shape, the sheep, goat, hens, turkey etc.
As we approach Christmas, remember the significance of animals in our traditions. Animals help define Christmas and our lives. Poaching undermines our traditions.
