Feeling down in the dumps? Animals have been used as symbols of human emotions since ancient times. If you’re wondering what creature best captures a melancholic mood, you’ve come to the right place.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: The donkey is commonly associated with sadness and melancholy.
In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore several animals that represent sadness through myth, legend, and symbolism. You’ll learn about the cultural history behind sad creatures like the donkey, raven, owl, and camel.
We’ve dug into folklore, religious texts, and works of art to provide context around why certain beasts evoke sadness and gloom.
The Donkey as a Symbol of Melancholy
Donkeys in the Bible and Christianity
In the Bible and Christianity, donkeys are often associated with hardship, suffering, and melancholy. They are portrayed as beasts of burden, forced to carry heavy loads and endure difficult conditions.
For example, in the Old Testament, Issachar is described as a “strong donkey, lying down between two burdens,” referring to the tribe’s hard labor (Genesis 49:14).
Donkeys also feature prominently in the Easter story. According to the Gospels, Jesus rode a donkey into Jerusalem in the days leading up to his crucifixion (Matthew 21:1-11). This humble mode of transport contrasts with the magnificent war horses that would be expected for a conquering king, instead symbolizing Jesus’ mission of humble service and sacrificial death.
Later Christian tradition draws on these biblical accounts to reinforce the donkey’s connections to mournfulness. In works of art, donkeys are regularly depicted carrying the cross or positioned near the crucifixion, silently observing Jesus’ suffering.
Their drooping ears and eyes convey heartbreak and empathy.
Donkeys in Greek Mythology and Literature
Donkeys also symbolize hardship and grief in ancient Greek myths and writings. Perhaps the most famous example is Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh, the old grey donkey struggling with chronic sadness. His droopy ears, tail, and eyes mirror his melancholy personality.
Another prime illustration is Bottom the Weaver from Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. As punishment for his foolishness, Bottom’s head is transformed into that of a donkey. He is thereby consigned to enduring mockery and exclusion—a distinctly unhappy fate.
Some scholars link the donkey’s mournful symbolism to how they were actually treated in ancient Greece. Donkeys provided crucial labor, yet were often beaten and neglected. Their resonant braying calls were associated with lamentation.
And mythic tales, like that of Silenus—the drunken old tutor to Dionysus who rode a donkey—characterized them as humble, servile creatures.
The Raven as a Creature of Mourning
Ravens in Norse Mythology
In Norse mythology, ravens hold a special association with death and mourning. Odin, the chief god in Norse mythology, had two ravens named Huginn and Muninn who flew around Midgard (the realm of humans) and brought news back to their master.
Odin was closely linked with death, and some myths depict him welcoming dead warriors to Valhalla after battle. Thus, the ravens likely symbolized Odin’s connection to the dead.
Another important raven in Norse myths was thought to live in the Underworld ruled by the goddess Hel. This raven had the grim job of drinking blood from the corpses found in Hel’s realm. Clearly, the Norse viewed ravens as creatures closely intertwined with death.
Ravens in Literature and Poetry
The strong association between ravens and death in mythology has inspired many writers to utilize the birds as symbols of mourning. One of the most famous examples is Edgar Allan Poe’s narrative poem “The Raven.”
In this Gothic classic, a raven visits a grieving lover and serves as a constant reminder of his lost love Lenore. The raven’s repetitious cry of “Nevermore” underscores the theme of unending sorrow. Poe’s poem established the raven as a symbol of grief, loss, and lamentation.
Another literary work that famously features a raven is Charles Dickens’ novel Barnaby Rudge. Dickens includes a raven named Grip who accompanies the mentally-impaired Barnaby. When Grip dies, Barnaby is overwhelmed with grief.
Once again, the raven represents a close companion whose loss brings anguish and pain.
Ravens have inspired many Gothic writers in particular to utilize them as figures of mourning and melancholy. Their inky black feathers and harsh cries evoke a sense of foreboding. As a result, ravens still persist as symbols of death and grief in contemporary literature and poetry.
The Owl as an Omen of Misfortune
Owls as Ill Omens in Folklore
Owls have long been viewed as harbingers of misfortune and death in folklore around the world. Their nocturnal habits, haunting calls, and ghostly pale faces have inspired foreboding superstitions across many cultures.
For example, in ancient Roman culture it was considered a dire omen if an owl was spotted hooting atop a public building. Hearing an owl hooting during the day was also seen as an ominous sign that misfortune or death was soon to come.
In many Native American traditions, owls are viewed as possessing supernatural powers and their calls are believed to signify that death or hardship is on the way. Spotting an owl before heading into battle or hunting was seen as an ill omen.
Similarly in ancient Celtic folklore, the owl was considered the announcer of death if it was seen perched on a roof or heard screeching at night near homes. TheAztecs and Mayans also saw the owl as the messenger of death and destroyer of men.
They even had a death god, named Ubique, who they believed could take the form of an owl and remove people’s souls from their bodies once their time on earth was up.
The Owl’s Cry Heard Before Tragedy
One of the most persistent superstitions surrounding the owl is that its haunting nighttime cries herald coming catastrophe or death. There are chilling accounts across history that seem to lend credence to this belief.
For example, ancient Roman historians Suetonius and Pliny the Elder wrote that a protracted series of ominous owl cries were heard resonating throughout Rome on the nights before the violent deaths of the emperors Julius Caesar, Augustus Caesar, and Agrippa Postumus.
This led to a long-held superstition that the owl was a prophet of impending doom.
There is also a grim Scottish legend about the fall of the ancient Ogilvy clan at the Lonach Hill tract in Aberdeenshire. It is said that on the night before the bloody confrontation with the rival Forbes clan, the ghostly shrieks of an owl were heard echoing all over the Ogilvy castle and land.
The next day almost the entire Ogilvy clan was massacred in the battle, including the chief. From then on the owl was seen as a messenger of death and defeat when its unearthly screeching fills the cold night air.
The Camel’s Association with Hardship
Camels Symbolize Desert Journey and Struggle
The camel has long been associated with arduous journeys and hardship due to its ability to thrive in desert environments. In many cultures, the camel epitomizes perseverance and endurance against difficult odds.
This is largely due to the camel’s amazing physiological adaptations that allow it to withstand the harsh conditions of the desert.
Camels can go for weeks without water and can lose up to 30% of their body weight due to dehydration. Their humps store fat that can be metabolized into water and energy when needed. They also have a remarkable ability to conserve water by not sweating and producing very dry feces.
Their long eyelashes, ear hair, and slit-like nostrils help protect their eyes, ears, and nose from blowing sand. Their wide feet with leathery pads allow them to walk easily on sand without sinking in.
Due to these extraordinary adaptations, camels can carry heavy loads over vast desert terrain where most other animals would perish. No wonder they became known as the “ships of the desert”, essential for transporting goods and people over challenging desert trade routes like the Silk Road.
The camel’s association with will power and fortitude in the face of adversity is reflected in many proverbs and figures of speech in Middle Eastern and North African cultures.
Camels in Islamic Tradition
In Islamic tradition, camels feature prominently as symbols of devotion and sacrifice. According to the Quran, God created the camel specially to be of service to human beings. Stories of the prophets often show camels playing a key role in long journeys spreading the message of Islam.
The camel was the chief means of transportation for Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and his followers when they migrated from Mecca to Medina to escape persecution. It was on a camel that Muhammad made his famous night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and ascended to heaven, known as Al-Isra wal-Mi’raj.
The sacrifice of 100 camels also makes up one of the gifts Prophet Abraham offered to God during Hajj pilgrimage, which is still re-enacted today.
One of the largest camel herds was owned by the Prophet himself. He encouraged caring for and sharing camels, teaching that Allah has obligations towards these animals. Mistreating or overburdening camels was seen as unethical.
According to various hadith sources, the Prophet cared deeply for the welfare of camels and taught his followers to show kindness towards them.
Thus, camels became admired symbols of sacrifice and resilience in Islamic culture. Their ability to patiently endure harsh desert conditions made them exemplars of spiritual stamina and faithfulness. This positive cultural meaning persists even today across Muslim societies.
Conclusion
As we’ve explored, animals like the donkey, raven, owl, and camel have emerged as symbols of sorrow and melancholy across history, mythology, and art. Their traits and characteristics have become intertwined with human experiences of sadness.
The next time you’re feeling blue, you may find yourself thinking of one of these mournful creatures that humanity has imbued with meaning over the centuries.