Brewer's: 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.)

Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894

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