2006-10-16 09:45:38 · 4 answers · asked by Betty G 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
--Is Catholic--
The pelican is an ancient symbol of the Eucharist, Christ, and redemption. This dates way back to the very early days of Christianity.
The pelican was believed to pierce its own breast and feed its young on its own flesh and blood. This symbol showed up in ancient paganism. While this isn't what the pelican was really doing, the symbolism fits perfectly with the Eucharist. Christ gives himself as food for his children, given them his real flesh and real blood so that they might be redeemed and live. So the symbol of the pelican became associated with the Eucharist, Christ, and redemption.
2006-10-17 08:49:05 · answer #1 · answered by Liet Kynes 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Traditionally the pelican is a symbol of charity.
2006-10-16 16:48:35 · answer #2 · answered by Max Marie, OFS 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No...maybe the church was in Pelican Bay, Grand Bahama Island?
2006-10-16 16:49:48 · answer #3 · answered by AuroraDawn 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In medieval bestiaries, it was said that pelicans feed their young with their own blood, and that makes them symbols of Christ. I guess medieval didn't think of the possibility of regurgitated fish.
2006-10-16 16:49:06 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋