Seven Animals We Associate with Christmas

Dear friends of Training Centre Raya London, we wish you warm and joyful holidays and a Happy New Year! We are happy that we were together for another trip around the Sun and that you were reading our short, entertaining texts as an aid to your English language learning! You were persistent and curious – qualities that will help you in your development and progress. Here is our last story for this year and don’t forget to switch to the English version from the button at the top right to get acquainted with the new words!

Christmas holidays are very old and although they are associated with Christianity, they inherit traditions and symbols from previous eras of human history. Among these symbols are the images of several animals that have become inseparable from the holiday. Let’s see which ones they are!

Reindeer – These noble animals are associated with the harsh North, snow, and cold. They also appear in the famous fairy tale by Hans Christian Andersen “The Snow Queen,” where little Gerda rides one in search of her brother Kai. Hardy and beautiful, we are used to seeing them pull Santa’s sleigh at great speed.

Polar Bears – They are essential for holiday decor. White in color, reminiscent of large snow statues, we again associate them with winter, ice, and cold. You can see them in famous advertisements, as decorations on holiday sweaters, and above the fireplace – with skis, scarves, and hats.

Goats – Well, we are not used to seeing them as decorations, but they are associated with the holiday through Scandinavian culture, as for the Vikings, two large goats pull the chariot of the god Thor. They are also present in German legends and Slavic tales. In Finland, Norway, and other northern countries, a large figure of a goat made of straw is erected at Christmas. A straw goat is also hung on the Christmas tree.

Donkeys – Animals directly related to the Nativity. The donkey is the animal that Virgin Mary rides before giving birth to the Savior. It is present among the figures that depict the Nativity scene and, in many countries, it is mandatory to arrange them at home and in the square for the holiday.

Robins – They are not only winter animals, but their red breast is easily noticeable against the background of the white winter and the bare branches of the trees. They are often depicted on cards, perched on mistletoe. They are associated with Christmas and the cold because, unlike other birds, they do not migrate but bravely withstand the harsh conditions.

Partridges – They are in the group of Christmas animals on the one hand as winter inhabitants of nature and on the other – as characters in a famous Christmas song, whose modern version dates back to 1909. This song describes the Christmas gifts that a girl receives from her beloved. In each subsequent verse, a new gift is mentioned along with the previously received ones, so the last verse lists all of them. The first verse goes:

“On the first day of Christmas My true love Sent to me a partridge, in a pear tree”

You will hear this song often during the holidays.

Camels – Just like donkeys, camels are part of the Nativity scene displayed at Christmas. They accompany the Eastern wise men, known as the Magi, who are guided by their faith in the Savior and bring precious gifts. The camels’ endurance ensures they can make the long journey and arrive safely.

Dear friends, look forward to more of our short texts in the future! Stay persistent, and success will come your way! Happy New Year!

Author: Iveta Radeva