Episodes of the story of Jonah, as Jesus cited this story when speaking of the Resurrection.
Daniel in the Lion’s Den, a triumph of faith which must have appealed strongly to the Christians in time of persecution, when those of the faith were often given as prey to wild beasts.
Elijah borne to heaven, probably typical of the resurrection.
Orpheus playing on the lyre. This pagan design was given a Christian meaning, mainly because of certain spurious Orphic poems foreshadowing the birth of Christ.
Fall of Adam and Eve. Here the meaning is quite obvious: “As in Adam all died so in Christ shall all be made alive,” as the apostle Paul wrote.
The Ark of Noah; God’s promise to save mankind.
A lion, evidently signifying the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, applied to Christ.
A lamb, typical of Christ and of Christians. In the Gospel of John, ii, 36, John the Baptist exclaimed on seeing Jesus: “Behold the Lamb of God.”
A hare. This may denote the dangers which so often menaced the early Christians, who had to be constantly apprehensive, as a hare is of the hunters.
A phœnix; naturally figuring the Resurrection.