A look at the animals of Christmas

The Christmas season is filled with symbolism from the top of the tree all the way to the dining table, and among icons of the season, animals are well represented.

One theme that consistently appears in just about all versions of the Christmas holiday tradition is a significant cast of non-human characters. Among this parade from the animal kingdom, some have earned their Christmas roles through deeply symbolic connections, while others are a little harder to pin down.

Indeed, as the holiday draws closer, chances are good within any given home plenty of Christmas critters from assorted traditions can be spotted — glittered reindeer dangle from branches on the tree, a camel stands gazing at a softly lit cradle as his rider presents a gift, dozens of penguins waddle across carefully wrapped gifts and two doves snuggle in the curve of a wreath.

For most Christmas animals, their connection to the holiday is clear, yet for others, the how and why are answered with best guesses.

Here’s a look at a few animals that take part in the holiday festivities:

Rudolf — Probably the first critter to come to mind when thinking of Christmas is the quick-footed creatures that fly through the night sky, pulling what — between the jolly fat guy and gifts for all good children ‘round the world — must be an incredibly heavy sleigh. The reindeer initially joined the American Christmas tradition through poems in the early 1800s, first with one deer pulling Santa’s sleigh then growing to nine within a couple years.

The reindeer connection, however, is believed to have begun in ancient cultures in Arctic and Northern European regions where the animals originate. Historians theorize that pagan myths such as the Norse god Odin, who had a long beard and rode an eight-legged horse named Slepnir, and the magical goats that pulled the chariot of the Norse god Thor through the sky most likely morphed into magical reindeer.

Camels — Not specifically mentioned in the biblical nativity story, the camel is thought to be depicted in cultural references because of a prophecy in the book of Isaiah, which speaks of caravans of camels carrying kings and riches to celebrate the arrival of God’s son.

Birds — Two turtledoves, three French hens, four birds calling … six geese a laying and a partridge… "The Twelve Days of Christmas" is a song traced back to the late 1700s, but about which little is known.

Theories abound it was code for Catholic children to express their beliefs in times when Catholicism was forbidden, or that each bird was chosen for religious significance, and others believe it was a song to teach counting. The leading theory, however, is that it’s the love song of a suitor who promises to shower his intended with gifts.

Separate from the infamous song, doves are a biblical symbol of peace and love and the birth of Jesus is seen as a manifestation of those sentiments.

Penguins — Basically, there’s no clear explanation as to how they got connected to Christmas. The most likely association is seasonal, compounded by downright cuteness that's been capitalized on by commercial marketing, much like the polar bear, a holiday icon for Coca Cola.

Native to the southern hemisphere, they couldn’t be further from Santa and the elves, but they do live in ice and snow and Christmas comes during a snowy time of year, so that’s probably the link.

Regardless of how they came to be included, it’s safe to say Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without antlers to put on the dog and scarf-adorned penguins to waddle across gift-wrap.

Sharna Johnson is always searching for ponies. Contact her at:

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