The notion that there was an ass, or a donkey, and an ox present at the birth of Christ is not in the Bible, yet it is one of the earliest and most persistent images in the representations of the Nativity even until today.  I explore the symbolism surrounding this Christmas tradition and how it shows us the purpose of extra-biblical traditions.

It connects with notions of the incarnation,  purity and how extreme elements are brought together in Christ.  

For more on this, please check two of my articles.

- The Ass and the Ox in the Nativity Icon: https://www.orthodoxartsjournal.org/why-an-ass-and-an-ox-in-the-nativity-icon/

- The Cave in the Nativity Icon: https://www.orthodoxartsjournal.org/the-cave-in-the-nativity-icon/‍