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Symbolism
During the Renaissance art was used as a religious tool, to help people who could not read and
write to understand the Bible.
Objects

Most works, particularly paintings, contained symbols or icons which held extra meaning.
For instance, a closed door or gate in relation to the Madonna was a symbol of her
virginity and helped the viewer to understand who was being referred to. This symbol also
made reference to the Old Testament prophecies concerning the coming of the Messiah.
Below is a list of some common Renaissance symbols. It is also important to remember that
many symbols have both Christian and pagan meanings, depending on their context.
apple
Temptation. Fall of mankind – tradition claimed this as the original fruit
of the Tree of Knowledge.
bread
Body of Christ, flesh.
butterfly
the Resurrection (emerges from cocoon and is ‘reborn’)
cock or rooster
vigilance, also Saint Peter
cross
Christ’s suffering; Christian
dog
faithfulness
dove
Holy Spirit (with an olive branch – peace and deliverance)
dragon
Satan or the Devil
eagle
the ascension of Christ
flower
because its form is cup-like, it can symbolise the chalice that Christ
drank from; or the Virgin Mary
fleur de lis
symbol of the Holy Trinity (it ahs three prongs); also of France
fruit
the garden of Eden and the fall of mankind. Sometimes fertility.
The transience of earthy life (insubstantial).
garden
paradise; a locked or enclosed garden can also relate to the Virgin
goldfinch
because its habitat is thorns and thistles, it symbolises Christ’s
suffering.
grapes
Last Supper; or transformation of mankind; blood of Christ
halo
divinity. Haloes came in different shapes:
circular ones symbolised the perfection of heaven; cruciform for Christ;
triangular, the Trinity,
square for Popes, donors etc
hexagonal, the theological and cardinal virtues
hand
emerging from cloud, God’s presence
iris
sword lily; the Virgin Mary
key
access to heaven or knowledge
lamb
Christ; sacrifice– the lamb was a sacrificial animal in the Old Testament
lamp or candle
divine light. All seeing eye of God
lily
symbol of the Virgin, purity of the Virgin
lion
the Resurrection; also courage
olive tree
peace
ostrich
Virgin birth, sometimes represented by an egg rather than the bird itself
ox
patience
palm
martyrdom, victory over death
pelican
piety, charity, sacrifice of Christ on the cross.
Medieval belief held that the pelican pierced its own breast to feed its
young with its blood.
pomegranate
the Resurrection
rose
Virgin Mary; reference to the Old Testament, the song of Solomon
snake
Satan or the devil; in pagan mythology, symbol of the goddess of
wisdom, healing and fertility
tree
Wood of the Cross
unicorn
chastity
vase (or jug) of water purity
Colour
Colour was also used in a symbolic way. This use of colour had its origins in both heraldry
and alchemy. Many Renaissance artists were practising alchemists.

Alberti identified relationships between colours and elements as follows:
-
blue:
green
red
ash
air
water
fire
(that is, grey); earth (grey was used, since it is neither black nor white – colours
that Alberti said should be used sparingly, never in their strongest tones)

Colour was to be used to both beautify and enrich a painting.

The scientific study and use of colour complementaries began around this time.
Below is a list of some of the more common colours used in Renaissance painting and their
meanings. Remember that these meanings were not fixed and varied as time passed.
black
blue
gold
green
purple
red
silver
yellow
white
death, mourning, sin, evil (the devil was sometimes painted black)
Heaven, holiness (sometimes used in place of purple for royalty)
(precious metal; used for haloes, etc)
justice, also sometimes fertility
royalty, sometimes martyrdom
martyrdom, suffering, blood, charity. Colour associated with Mary Magdalene
(the Scarlet Woman)
(precious metal; could be used with the same meanings as white)
Cowardice. Judas was often depicted in a yellow robe.
purity, chastity, peace, happiness, rejoicing
Key Terms
alchemy
medieval chemistry; belief that it is possible to change base metals, such as
lead, into gold through various processes.
heraldry
science of armorial bearings; coats of arms and heraldic devices identified
individuals, families, cities, states, etc.
icon
image, representation, especially of a religious figure.
iconography
the study of iconographic motifs (eg images, symbols, signs, icons, emblems),
used to convey meaning in art.
Symbol
sometime used to represent an object, idea or process.