| Lamb | Exodus 12:3–13; John 1:29; Revelation 5:6 | Innocence, sacrifice, redemption. | The Passover lamb foreshadows Jesus, “the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” |
| Serpent | Genesis 3:1–15; Numbers 21:6–9; John 3:14 | Deception, sin, judgment — later turned to a symbol of healing. | Satan’s deception in Eden; Moses’ bronze serpent prefigures Christ being lifted up for salvation. |
| Lion | Genesis 49:9–10; 1 Peter 5:8; Revelation 5:5 | Strength, kingship, authority. | Represents both Christ (“Lion of Judah”) and the devil as a counterfeit “roaring lion.” |
| Donkey | Numbers 22:21–33; Matthew 21:1–9 | Humility, service, peace. | Balaam’s donkey spoke truth; Jesus entered Jerusalem on a donkey, symbolizing peace not war. |
| Dove | Genesis 8:8–12; Matthew 3:16 | Peace, purity, the Holy Spirit. | Noah’s dove symbolized hope after judgment; the Spirit descended as a dove at Jesus’ baptism. |
| Raven | Genesis 8:6–7; 1 Kings 17:4–6 | Provision, perseverance. | Fed Elijah in the wilderness; contrasts with the dove in Noah’s story. |
| Fish | Jonah 1:17; Matthew 4:19; John 21:6 | Evangelism, provision, God’s control of creation. | Jonah’s fish demonstrates God’s discipline; Jesus uses fish to teach discipleship and provide. |
| Sheep | Psalm 23; Luke 15:4–7; John 10:11 | Dependence, vulnerability, God’s care. | Represents God’s people and Christ’s role as Shepherd and Sacrifice. |
| Goat | Leviticus 16:7–10; Matthew 25:31–33 | Sin offering, separation. | The scapegoat bore Israel’s sins symbolically; goats later used to depict the unrighteous in judgment. |
| Ox / Bull | Exodus 20:17; 1 Kings 12:28; Psalm 50:13 | Labor, strength, false worship. | Used in sacrifices but also idolized in golden calf worship — a warning about corrupting God’s gifts. |
| Eagle | Exodus 19:4; Isaiah 40:31; Revelation 12:14 | Strength, renewal, divine protection. | Symbolizes God’s care in deliverance and spiritual endurance. |
| Wolf | Matthew 7:15; John 10:12; Acts 20:29 | Danger, false teachers. | Used to warn believers of deception and corruption within the flock. |
| Dog | Exodus 11:7; Philippians 3:2; Revelation 22:15 | Unclean, scavenger, sometimes loyal. | In ancient Israel, dogs symbolized impurity; in contrast, humility before God brings acceptance. |
| Snake (Staff of Moses) | Exodus 4:3–4 | God’s authority over evil. | Moses’ staff turns into a serpent to show divine power over Pharaoh’s magicians. |
| Bear | 2 Kings 2:23–24; Daniel 7:5 | Judgment, power. | Bears used as symbols of destructive kingdoms; Elisha’s bears demonstrate God’s defense of His servants. |
| Leopard | Daniel 7:6; Revelation 13:2 | Speed, cunning, empire. | Symbolic of swift, conquering empires in prophetic visions. |
| Horse | Zechariah 1:8; Revelation 6:2–8; Revelation 19:11 | Warfare, conquest, victory. | Represent nations, power, and the final return of Christ on a white horse. |
| Locust | Exodus 10:4–15; Joel 1:4; Revelation 9:3–10 | Destruction, divine judgment. | Used in plagues and prophetic visions as symbols of devastation and warning. |
| Whale / Great Fish | Jonah 1:17; Matthew 12:40 | Deliverance, discipline, resurrection foreshadow. | Jonah’s three days prefigure Christ’s death and resurrection. |
| Rooster | Matthew 26:74–75 | Conviction, repentance. | Peter’s denial fulfilled by the rooster’s crow; symbolizes awakening to truth. |
| Ram | Genesis 22:13 | Substitutionary sacrifice. | God provides a ram in Isaac’s place — a direct foreshadowing of substitutionary atonement in Christ. |
| Frog | Exodus 8:2–14; Revelation 16:13 | Plague, uncleanness, demonic deception. | God uses frogs in Egypt’s judgment; Revelation shows them as symbols of unclean spirits. |
| Pig / Swine | Leviticus 11:7; Matthew 8:30–32 | Uncleanness, impurity, rejection of holiness. | Unclean animal under Mosaic Law; used to illustrate spiritual filth or rebellion. |
| Camel | Genesis 24:10–64; Matthew 19:24 | Wealth, difficulty of self-sufficiency. | Symbol of prosperity; Jesus uses the camel to illustrate pride hindering salvation. |
| Colt (Foal of a Donkey) | Zechariah 9:9; Matthew 21:5 | Humility and kingship. | Fulfilled prophecy of the Messiah’s entrance to Jerusalem. |
| Behemoth & Leviathan | Job 40–41 | Power, mystery of creation. | Show God’s unmatched strength and sovereignty. |
