Christian Traditions

1. Birds, Beasts, and Fishes.

The Ass: Cross on the back. (See Ass.)

Bunting. (See Yellow-hammer.)

⁂ 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.)