The symbolism of the donkey may refer to the Eastern tradition that it is an animal of peace, unlike the horse which is the animal of war. A king would have ridden a horse when he was bent on war and ridden a donkey to symbolize his arrival in peace.
Therefore, what we can then see from this story is that “the donkey ” represents: “the authority of God’s word”. Meaning, without “the authority” and “base of support” provided by God’s word: A prophet would have no power; a king could not rule and the Bible would just be another book.
“The Nubian donkey has a cross on its back because it was said that this breed of donkeys carried Jesus to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.” Seeing the tragic event of Jesus’ crucifixion, the donkey wished that he had been able to carry the cross for Jesus and bear his burden.
A foal is a baby horse, donkey , mule, zebra or pony under one year old. So you might hear someone talk about a filly foal or a colt foal , or they will use the term colt or filly on their own.
Jesus ‘ riding the donkey echoes this regal arrival in Zechariah’s prophecy: Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you, triumphant and victorious is he; humble and riding on a donkey , on a colt , the foal of a donkey .
As children learn the story of Jesus, Palm Sunday is an important component of the story that you can reinforce each year. Providing Context Jesus understood that, following God’s plan, this was to be his last trip into Jerusalem. People laid down palms in front of him as a sign of honor.
In contrast to Grecian works, donkeys were portrayed in Biblical works as symbols of service, suffering, peace and humility. They are also associated with the theme of wisdom in the Old Testament story of Balaam’s ass, and are seen in a positive light through the story of Jesus riding into Jerusalem on a donkey .
God becomes angry that he went, and sends the Angel of the Lord (Numbers 22:22) to prevent him. After Balaam starts punishing the donkey for refusing to move, it is miraculously given the power to speak to Balaam (Numbers 22:28), and it complains about Balaam’s treatment.
When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam , and he was angry and beat her with his staff. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.
And if you look closely, all donkeys across the world, whether they are grazing in pastures or gracing the big screen, share one mysterious feature — they have a dark cross on their backs , running down their spines and across their shoulders.
Donkey hybrids A male donkey (jack) can be crossed with a female horse to produce a mule. A male horse can be crossed with a female donkey (jenny) to produce a hinny. Horse- donkey hybrids are almost always sterile because horses have 64 chromosomes whereas donkeys have 62, producing offspring with 63 chromosomes.
Goats are social animals who need the company of at least one other goat , but also get along with cows, sheep, horses, or donkeys . They also get along with cats and most dogs. Be mindful that an occasional hunting dog may see goats as prey.
Foal: A foal is a baby male or female donkey up to one year old. Gelding: A castrated male donkey . Mare: A female donkey . Stallion: A stallion is a male donkey that has not been gelded (castrated). Yearling: A yearling is a young male or female donkey between one and two years of age.
A foal is an equine up to one year old; this term is used mainly for horses. More specific terms are colt for a male foal and filly for a female foal, and are used until the horse is three or four. When the foal is nursing from its great (mother), it may also be called a “suckling”.
Historians believe that Donkeys were domesticated by Nubians around 4,500 years ago. So it’s not surprising to see Donkey symbolism and meaning tied together with the growth of civilization, travel, trade and general service. Their versatility and being a beloved beast of burden is legendary.