Religion has long been intertwined with the animal kingdom. Since ancient times, certain animals have been revered as sacred creatures or representations of the divine. Many major world religions feature animals prominently in their mythologies and spiritual practices. From mighty elephants to humble doves, different animals have been associated with gods, serve as their messengers, act as totems of tribes and faiths, and symbolize abstract ideals. Read on to learn about some of the most holy animals around the world and their significance across different religions.
Cows in Hinduism
In Hinduism, the cow is considered a sacred animal and is revered as the divine mother, or the personification of mother nature. Cows symbolize fertility, nourishment, and motherly qualities. Hindus do not eat beef and many do not eat any meat, as cows are seen ascaretaker figures. The cow protection movement sees cows as an integral part of India’s culture and way of life. In fact, killing or injuring a cow is illegal in many parts of India. The Hindu deity Krishna, who was a cow herder, is sometimes called Govinda or “finder of cows.” And the earth goddess Prithvi was in the form of a cow when she helped the deity Prithu milk her for the benefit of newly created humans. So the cow’s status as a holy animal has its roots deep within Hindu mythology and tradition.
Significance in Hindu Rituals
Cows play an important role in Hindu rituals and ceremonies. Products from the cow, like milk, curd, ghee, urine, and dung are used to purify during rituals. Panchgavya, the five products of the cow, are an essential part of Hindu prayers and offerings. Cow dung is used as a disinfectant in homes. Ghee, clarified butter from cows, is used to fuel sacrificial fires. And offerings of grass are made to cows during
some festivals. Killing cows or eating beef is taboo in mainstream Hinduism. The cow protection movement sees cows as integral to India’s cultural heritage.
Monkeys in Hinduism
Monkeys hold a significant place in Hinduism and Indian culture. They are worshipped as manifestations of the monkey god Hanuman, one of the most popular idols in the Hindu pantheon. Hanuman is portrayed as the devoted sidekick of the god Rama and helps Rama defeat the demon Ravana in the Hindu epic Ramayana. With his strength, bravery and power, Hanuman embodies the ideal servant and symbolizes powerful devotion. Some Hindus also believe Hanuman protects against the evil eye. His birthday during the holy Chaitra month is widely celebrated, especially in parts of North India. Large statues depicting Hanuman’s face or whole body are common sights at temples devoted to Rama or Hanuman. Vermilion smeared on these idols is a sign of devotees’ adoration. Given Hanuman’s widespread appeal, the monkeys considered his representatives are allowed to freely roam many temples and public spaces.
Monkeys in the Ramayana
In the Ramayana, Hanuman leads an army of monkeys to help Rama fight Ravana. The monkey army builds a bridge between India and Lanka, the land Ravana rules, so Rama can cross over and defeat Ravana to rescue his wife Sita. Hanuman also flies all the way to Lanka to reassure Sita that Rama is coming and burns down parts of Ravana’s kingdom. So monkeys hold an exalted status in the epic as Rama’s loyal helpers. This cements their position as auspicious animals in Hinduism. Even today, feeding or interacting with monkeys is considered a good omen by many devotees of Rama and Hanuman.
Cows in Christianity
While not as revered as in Hinduism, cows do have symbolic meaning in Christianity. The cow is seen as a symbol of maternal tenderness, care and nourishment. This connects to values like compassion that Christianity promotes. Passages in the Old Testament book Isaiah compare God’s care over humanity to that of a shepherd for his flock. The ox and lamb are depicted living in harmony, imagery that is echoed in the New Testament. The manger scene depicting Christ’s birth shows Mary, Joseph, the baby Jesus, and barn animals like oxen and lambs together, representing peace. So the cow represents positive qualities like gentleness, sustenance, and peaceful coexistence in Christian symbolism.
Cows in the Bible
Cows appear in key Biblical events. The Old Testament describes “milky” Israel as “a land flowing with milk and honey.” The Ten Commandments forbid coveting your neighbor’s oxen. The Book of Leviticus outlines sacrifices of unblemished cattle. The Israelites construct a golden calf idol when Moses briefly leaves them. And the Bible associates cattle with prosperity, like in Pharaoh’s dream of seven healthy cows followed by seven thin ones foretelling good and bad years. While not given the divine status as in Hinduism, cows symbolize important Biblical values like pacifism, sacrifice, and worship when they appear in these stories.
Bears in Ainu Culture
The indigenous Ainu people of northern Japan have traditionally revered bears as sacred creatures closely linked to their animist worldview. Ainu communities relied on bear hunting and believed the bear’s spirit would return to the mountains after its ritual sacrifice. Bear cubs were sometimes captured and reared, then sacrificed too during the Iyomante ceremony seeking the bear’s forgiveness. The Ainu viewed this rite as essential for the bear’s spirit to report positively on the humans to the gods so hunting could continue. Bears were central to Ainu cosmology, appearing prominently in their oral narratives.
Bear Worship Rituals
The Iyomante was the most important Ainu religious ceremony devoted to bear worship. It involved sacrificing an adult bear as well as cubs it had raised after years of captive rearing. The Ainu prayed to the bear’s spirit to go peacefully to the otherworld and report favorably on them to the gods. They believed failing to perform this ritual properly would anger the bear deity and cease the bounty of nature. Only specially trained individuals could conduct ceremonies featuring bears as offerings. The Ainu also carved wooden bear statues for veneration and made offerings at bear monuments. So bears were a critical aspect of Ainu culture and religion.
Cats in Islam
In Islam, cats are admired and respected for their cleanliness and care for their young. The prophet Muhammad was said to love cats and treat them gently. One story tells of Muhammad cutting off his sleeve rather than disturbing the cat sleeping on it. He believed God would reward someone who showed kindness to an animal. So Muslims consider cats blessed animals and their treatment of cats a sign of good character. Harming cats is considered a sin, especially as the prophet valued them. Even today many Muslims try to follow his example of compassion towards cats.
Cats in Islamic History
The prophet Muhammad’s favorable view of cats has shaped their position in Muslim societies worldwide. The mosque he established in Medina used cats to catch mice and snakes within its walls. This set a precedent for welcoming cats in mosques. Cats became cherished companions of Islamic scholars and ordinary families over the centuries. common across Muslim cultures are legends of cats honoring Muhammad in return, like the enduring story of Muezza the Prophet’s cat. Feline-focused folklore and poetry also grew around the Islamic world. So Muhammad’s fondness brought cats a special status that persists in Muslim heritage.
Bears in Ainu Culture
The indigenous Ainu people of northern Japan have traditionally revered bears as sacred creatures closely linked to their animist worldview. Ainu communities relied on bear hunting and believed the bear’s spirit would return to the mountains after its ritual sacrifice. Bear cubs were sometimes captured and reared, then sacrificed too during the Iyomante ceremony seeking the bear’s forgiveness. The Ainu viewed this rite as essential for the bear’s spirit to report positively on the humans to the gods so hunting could continue. Bears were central to Ainu cosmology, appearing prominently in their oral narratives.
Bear Worship Rituals
The Iyomante was the most important Ainu religious ceremony devoted to bear worship. It involved sacrificing an adult bear as well as cubs it had raised after years of captive rearing. The Ainu prayed to the bear’s spirit to go peacefully to the otherworld and report favorably on them to the gods. They believed failing to perform this ritual properly would anger the bear deity and cease the bounty of nature. Only specially trained individuals could conduct ceremonies featuring bears as offerings. The Ainu also carved wooden bear statues for veneration and made offerings at bear monuments. So bears were a critical aspect of Ainu culture and religion.
Elephants in Buddhism
In Buddhism, the elephant is a symbol of mental strength and resilience. According to Buddhist teachings, the elephant’s calm majesty and sturdy composure mirrors the ideal of equanimity and gentle strength. The Buddha was born into a royal family whose heraldic symbol was the elephant, which contributed to its esteemed status in Buddhist iconography. Tales describe the Buddha’s mother dreaming of a white elephant entering her womb before giving birth. White elephants are rare and considered especially auspicious in Indic culture. So the elephant’s attributes make it a meaningful emblem of Buddhist ideals.
White Elephants in Buddhist Lore
White elephants hold particular importance in Buddhist lore. The birth story of Buddha describes his mother Queen Maya dreaming a white elephant circled her before Buddha was conceived. This makes the white elephant a symbol of Buddha’s incarnation. Buddhist scriptures also tell of a mighty white elephant named Airavata who offered to carry the Buddha into the sky to preach to the gods. And only a perfectly pure white elephant could bear one of the relics after Buddha’s cremation. So white elephants represent power, wisdom and purity in Buddhist mythology surrounding the Buddha’s life.
Camels in Islam
In Islam, camels hold an exalted status as the most precious animal companion during the prophet Muhammad’s time. Called “Ships of the Desert”, camels enabled trade and travel in the harsh Arabian climate. Muhammad’s tribe, the Quraysh, earned prestige and wealth as successful merchants and camel herders. Arabic poetry celebrated camels’ endurance and speed ferrying goods and people across vast distances under grueling conditions. The Quran honors camels as divine gifts crucial to desert survival. So Muslims view camels as mighty beasts who sustained their ancestors against the elements through Allah’s grace.
Camels in the Quran and Hadith
References in Islamic scriptures solidify the camel’s significance. The Quran mentions camels over 20 times as beasts of burden. One Sura emphasizes Allah creating camels specifically to aid humans. Muhammad forbade camel cruelty as they comprised Arabia’s main currency. Hadiths record camel sacrifices as offerings, drinking camel milk as medicinal, and camel racing for leisure. As camel domestication enabled Muhammad’s rise as a merchant and spread of Islam, Muslims duly honor thecamel’s legacy even today through camel references, idioms and imagery.
Cows in Zoroastrianism
In the ancient religion of Zoroastrianism, the cow is considered a sacred animal embodying spiritual virtues. Cows are associated with traits like innocence, kindness and life-sustaining nourishment. Milk and dairy products like ghee from cows play roles in rituals for purification and prayer. Hurting or slaughtering cows is prohibited in Zoroastrianism. Some scholars propose cow and cattle worship in Hinduism was influenced by the older veneration of cows in Zoroastrian-influenced Persian culture. So across history, Zoroastrians have seen cows as holy creatures reflecting divine qualities.
Cow Myths in Zoroastrianism
One of the six immortals Ahuras created by the Zoroastrian god Ahura Mazda was the bull Geush Urvan (“soul of the cow”). Geush Urvan embodied the life force in cows and cattle. In later Zoroastrian texts, an evil spirit steals Geush Urvan’s soul but Ahura Mazda’s agent restores it to continue benefiting the world. Elaborate funerary rituals were prescribed for dead cows in medieval Zoroastrianism. So the cow’s cosmic role in their myths underscores its sacredness to Zoroastrians through the ages.
| Religion | Animal | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Hinduism | Cow | Symbol of motherhood and nourishment |
| Hinduism | Monkey | Manifestation of Hanuman |
| Christianity | Cow | Represents maternal care |
| Ainu | Bear | Key figure in rituals and myths |
| Islam | Cat | Beloved companion of Muhammad |
| Buddhism | Elephant | Symbolizes mental strength |
| Islam | Camel | Vital to survival in the desert |
| Zoroastrianism | Cow | Embodiment of spiritual virtues |
Conclusion
Animals have profound symbolic value in many faiths and cultures worldwide. Certain creatures like cows, bears and cats are elevated to sacred status through religious myths, historical legacy, and emblemizing key virtues. They offer insights into humanity’s relationship with nature and the wider cosmos. Respecting holy animals shows respect for religious traditions. While specific revered animals vary between regions, they ultimately reflect universal human ideals of the divine manifested in nature. Whether mighty or meek, holy animals will likely continue inspiring spirituality for ages to come.