Liturgical Symbols – Animals 

What Are These Liturgical Symbols, and What do They Mean

Written by: Conrad Schmitt Studios

Visual communication is an important consideration for sacred spaces. Semiotics, the study of signs and symbols, helps us to understand images that have deeper meanings and varied interpretations. Historically, images helped all worshipers understand stories from the Bible, even those who could not read. In the Catholic tradition, Latin was heavily utilized in worship, even if this was not the vernacular, or conversational language at the time. Often, symbols reference the Triune God in addition to other holy figures, such as saints, apostles, and evangelists. In addition to specific people, images could simply present a valued trait, such as purity. Many of these recognizable symbols pull from the natural world. Here are some common representations designed by CSS utilizing animals to convey God’s presence:

Dove – Holy Spirit

A part of the Holy Trinity, the Holy Spirit manifests physically as a dove. Pictured here is a digital rendering for a painted motif within the sanctuary from a recent decorating project in St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church in Iron Ridge, Wisconsin. This imagery connects the Spirit to the Holy Sacrament of Baptism with the use of a shell and three water droplets. 

Pelican – Jesus Christ

The mother pelican pierces her own breast to feed her young, just as the body and blood of Christ atone for our sins, showcased in this painted imagery for St. Matthews’s Church in Shullsburg, Wisconsin.

Lamb – Jesus Christ

Jesus laid down His life for the sins of the world. “Agnus Dei” is a Latin phrase that translates to “Lamb of God,” referring to this sacrifice. Jesus could also be represented as “The Good Shepherd,” who leads believers to salvation, much like shepherds herding their flock, represented in this example from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Fish – Jesus Christ / Christianity

Fishing serves as a metaphor for spreading the Gospel. Disciples of Jesus were called “fishers of men.” Framed within this quatrefoil at the Law School Chapel at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana is a symbolic representation of Jesus Feeding the Five Thousand from Matthew 14. With only five loaves of bread and two fish, Jesus was able to feed every man, woman, and child and still have leftovers, emphasizing abundant blessings from God.

Fishing – Christianity

In this window from St. Peter Church in Lincoln Nebraska, CSS stained glass artists render an earlier account from the book of Mathew in chapter 4, where Jesus calls Simon (Peter) and his brother Andrew to follow Him.

Peacock – Resurrection

Just as the peacock’s feathers are shed and replenished, so too does Christ rise after three days in the tomb. The Johnson Family Hall Chapel at the University of Notre Dame in Indiana highlights a beautifully colored male peacock in profile, designed and fabricated by CSS in 2019.

Today, many of these themes or visuals are familiar to us even outside of a liturgical context. While a dove is a recognized symbol of the Holy Spirit, we also associate these birds with peace. Universally, symbols are key visual components conveying both meaning and beauty.

REFERENCES:

Pelican

https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-symbolism-of-the-pelican.html#:~:text=The%20pelican%20symbolizes%20Jesus%20our,blood%20in%20the%20holy%20Eucharist

Fish

https://www.catholic.com/qa/how-did-a-fish-come-to-symbolize-christ

Peacock

https://kimbellart.org/collection/ap-197223#:~:text=In%20Early%20Christian%20art%2C%20the,symbolized%20worldly%20pride%20and%20vanity

https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2023/11/the-use-of-peacock-in-christian-art.html

Project-Specific Mentions

St. Matthews (Shullsburg, WI)

https://www.liturgicalartsjournal.com/2023/03/before-and-after-st-matthews-in.html