Christian Traditions connected with natural objects.
1. Birds, Beasts, and Fishes.
The Ass: Cross on
the back. (See Ass.)
Bunting. (See Yellowhammer.)
The Crossbill has nothing to do with the Christian
cross; the bird is so called, because its mandibles cross each other.
Haddock: The finger-marks on the
Haddock and John Dory. (See Haddock, etc.)
Ichthus, a fish. (See Ichthus.)
Pike's Head (q.v.).
Pigeons
or Doves: The Russians are averse to pigeons as a food, because the Holy Ghost assumed the form
of a dove at the baptism of Jesus. (Sporting Magazine, January, 1825, p. 307.)
Robin Redbreast: The
red breast. (See Robin.)
Stork: The cry of the Stork. (See Stork.)
Swallow: The cry of the Swallow.
(See Swallow.)
Swine: The holes in the forefeet of Swine. (See Pigs.)
2. The Vegetable World.
The
Arum, Aspen, Calvary-clover, Cedar (see also Cross), Dwarf-elder, Judas-tree, Passion-flower, Purple
Orchis, Red Anemone, Rood Selken, Spotted Persicaria, Thistle.
(See these articles, and Flowers With
Traditions Of Christ.)
3. The Number Thirteen. (See Thirteen.)