Of course, one of the most famous biblical stories that involves a dove is in the Books of Genesis – the story of the Great Flood. In this case, the dove symbolizes hope, faith, and renewal.
The fish is one of the earliest and most important of Christian symbols. The five letters of the word for fish in Greek form an acrostic, signifying Jesus, Christ, Son of God, Savior (see ichthus).
Often the first symbols we relate to faith are the cross, angel, or Star of David; however, there are many lesser known symbols. Below is a list of other sacred and thoughtful symbolic gift ideas that bring faith and blessing to any occasion.
Spider. Known for creating their intricate webs, spiders are meant to inspire you to create the life you always wanted. In Greek mythology, it was associated with Arachne and was meant to signify the association of fate and destiny.
He is called the Good Shepherd who loves us and cares for us. In biblical times, lambs were offered as gifts to God as a means to ask God for forgiveness. Hence today we call Jesus, “The Lamb of God.”
In Revelation 4:6–8, four living beings (Greek: ζῷον, zōion) are seen in John's vision. These appear as a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, much as in Ezekiel but in a different order.
Doves: This elegant bird symbolizes peace, love, hope, and purity. Doves also carry religious symbolism, since they appear as divine messengers in both the Old and New Testaments of the Judeo-Christian Bible.
Dove: An important symbolic animal in Christianity representing the Holy Spirit. The white dove is referred to in the story of baptism of Christ. “And John bore record, saying, I saw the Spirit descending from heaven like a dove, and it abode upon him” (Bible, John 1:32).
Eagles represent light, spirit and healing – healing yourself so you can connect my deeply to your spiritual journey. This spirit animal carries knowledge of magic and gifts from above.
Iris. All colors of Iris represent eloquence. Different hues have different specific meanings too. Faith and hope both are expressed with the blue iris.
Yellow/Gold in the Bible. The color yellow and gold are often used interchangeably throughout the Bible, allowing for rich interpretations. What is this? Yellow symbolizes faith and Glory of God, anointing, and joy.
The cross is a universal symbol for the Christian faith and a reminder of Christ's death and resurrection. There are many types of crosses that have been used throughout history, many having regional/ethnic origins.
The anchor is a Christian symbol for hope and steadfastness. The source for this symbol is Hebrews 6:19, “Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” Anchors are found in many inscriptions in the catacombs of Rome. They were also often carved on old Christian gems.
What does spirit animal mean? In certain spiritual traditions or cultures, spirit animal refers to a spirit which helps guide or protect a person on a journey and whose characteristics that person shares or embodies. It is also metaphor, often humorous, for someone or something a person relates to or admires.
The Wolf represents loyalty, family, communication, wisdom, teaching, and intelligence. In nature, Wolves are pack animals with excellent communication and body language skills needed for hunting and protection.
Foxes often represent cunning, playfulness and resilience. They walk the fine line between the wilds and urban living, making the best of both environments. They are adaptable, clever and full of mischief.
Athena's owl is an Ancient Greek symbol of truth.
Because of this, the animal has been a symbol of truth for centuries.
Bulls are known for bringing luck to a variety of cultures. Greek, Celtic, Egyptian and East Indian people all see the animal as a powerful force. The bull is said to be a sign of positive things from good health to wealth. The Greeks looked upon the bull as a master of love and fertility.
Elephants with their trunks down are thought to be accumulating positive energy and pushing through obstacles, and are particularly potent totems for those seeking fertility, wisdom, or strength.
Animals such as lions, bears, and wolves are some of the animals considered to represent strength, and many people believe that they can help us to become stronger ourselves.
The eagle depicts the true image of freedom, soaring majestically above the earth with its wide and outstretched wings. The image of an eagle best symbolizes liberty more than any other symbol in existence.
The donkey(s)
Jesus then rode the donkey into Jerusalem, with the three synoptic gospels stating that the disciples had first put their cloaks on it. Matthew 21:7 maintains that the disciples laid their cloaks on both the donkey and its colt.
His birth took place in the home of sheep and oxen. At His baptism, John the Baptist hailed Jesus as the “Lamb of God” (John 1: 29) and the Spirit of God descended on Him like a “dove” (Matthew 3: 16).
The scriptures refer to Jesus Christ as both the Lamb and the Lion (Isa. 31:4; Hosea 5:14; Rev. 5:5).