The Animals Associated with Christmas.

Animals are an important part of Christmas symbolism. This article covers the animals featured in Christmas tales--and the historical, mythological and Biblical basis for this association.

Camels and the Donkey

The three Kings/Magi who predicted the birth of Jesus are depicted as arriving on the backs of camels.

And it is widely believed that Mary arrived in Bethlehem on the back of a donkey, as well as carrying Jesus into Jerusalem (for which reason the Jerusalem donkey is said to have a cross-shaped marked on its back).

The Bible does not actually specify how Mary or the wise men arrived at their destinations. So the involvement of these animals represents some embellishment based on modes of transport that were common at the time.

Reindeer

The accounts of Santa Claus being pulled by reindeer stem for the poetry of William Gilley and Clement Moore. They may be based on earlier accounts of Thor commanding a flying chariot pulled by goats.

Ox and Ass (and Sheep)

The ox and the ass/donkey the the most frequently mentioned animals of the nativity, said to be present in the manger at the birth of Christ. These animals are almost always included in a nativity scene. This may be partly inspired by Isaiah 1:3 which states: "The ox knows its owner, And the donkey its master's crib; But Israel does not know, My people do not consider." (KJB). These animal may also have served to symbolize Jesus' role as a Messiah for both the Jewish (ox) and gentile (ass0 peoples.

Sheep are also often included in a nativity scene because the birth of Jesus is reported to have been reveal to shepherds by angels. However it seems unlikely that they would have taken their flocks with them to view the baby.

The Yule Goat

You may notice that many Scandinavian Xmas decorations feature stylised goat. This is the Yule Goat which is often made of straw and represents a goat that would once have been slaughtered for the feast.

Some Swedish towns desplay a large straw goat during the Christmas season. Although it is sometimes a struggle to keep from being set alight.

Other animals associated with Christmas for similar reasons (as part of the feast) include the turkey and the pig.

In the Norse tradition the family would make an oath for the coming year over the pig to be prepared for the holiday feast. This would occur on the twelfth night of Yule(January 1st). This can be seen as a precursor of the current tradition of making new year's resolutions.

Dove

The dove often appears in Christmas decorations, often with an olive branch in its beak as a symbol of peace and forgiveness. The turtle dove, specifically is a symbol of love and sacrificial animal mentioned in the Bible, which may explain its appearance it he tune "The Twelve Days of Christmas".

Penguins

The frequent appearance penguins as a modern Christmas motif relates only to their association with snow and the wintery conditions of the season (as inhabtant of the South Pole). And they are rather adorable, so where's the harm in that....?

The same is true for other animals associated with snowing environments, such as polar bears. But in real life the two species are from different poles (polar bears from the north pole, or at least the artic circle) and would never meet as they do in some Christmas cards.

Robin (British)

In winter around the Christmas season robin are active foraging for scarce food, their brilliant red plumage bright against the snow.

In Christian symbolism red breast was considered symbolic of the blood and sacrifice of Christ.

The connection may also relate to the delivery of Christmas mail as British mail carriers were sometimes refer to as 'redbreasts' during the Victorian period due to their red uniforms.

Robins are also involved in the stories of several saints, on was resurrected from death by St Kentigern.

Wren

The wren was traditionally sacrifice late in December as a ceremony for ushering out the old year.

Animals participate in Christmas in many different cultures.  St Francis of Assisi said that we should not forget animal on Christmas and that they should be given rest and good food.