Dogs in the Bible are despised curs, but in early Italian Renaissance paintings they represent a Christian order. Which order? Why? And what color are the dogs? And why?

star_gazer

Torch of Truth: Symbol of the Dominican Order, often shown being carried in the mouth of a little black and white dog. It originates in a dream St. Dominic's mother had when she was pregnant with the Saint: she dreamed of her child as a little black and white dog illuminating the world by carrying a torch in his mouth. The Dominican Order St. Dominic founded is known as the "Order of Preachers," the colors of its habit are white and black. http://www.fisheaters.com/symbols.html (Scroll down to near the bottom of the page) Jan 01 12, 6:13 AM

queproblema

Hi! And, yes! That's correct, but some say there's also a Latin pun involved. . . Jan 01 12, 6:19 AM

serpa

Black-and-white dogs were sometimes used as symbols of the Dominicans (Domini canes, 'dogs of the Lord'), who wore black-and-white- habits. http://books.google.com/books?id=GF4XDp-eSTwC&pg=PA15&lpg=PA15&dq=dogs+in+christian+art&source=bl&ots=MSvUVwqMKJ&sig=IjFmFlHr7W6Qf-s88zfMazrzki4&hl=en&sa=X&ei=zYwAT5a4FcbiiALc_OH4CQ&ved=0CFgQ6AEwAA#v=onepage&q=dogs%20in%20christian%20art&f=false Hi, qp! Here's your pun! Jan 01 12, 10:45 AM

queproblema

Hi, serpa; exactly! Not sure I'd favor the appellation even as the more euphemistic "Hounds of the Lord," but here we have Fr. Michael Sweeney blithely adding to the possible pun the notion that "Hark, hark, the dogs do bark,/The beggars are coming to town" refers to the Dominicans. http://www.dspt.edu/19781089174923220/cwp/view.asp?A=3&Q=276335&C=55859 The fourth photo here is of a Trecento fresco in the Dominican "Spanish Chapel" depicting the order as dogs; the fifth is a detail of the hounds attacking wolves and foxes. http://www.music.iastate.edu/courses/471/sm_novella2.htm Jan 01 12, 3:23 PM