Natural Theology Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

Natural Theology Symbols, Allegory and Motifs

The symbol of the Giant and the Pigmy

The giant and pigmy are symbolically used to imply that no animal or plant that can be compared to human beings' capability regardless of size. The intelligence in humans is high and that is why a man is able to tame and control all animals and plants. He writes:

"A giant or a pigmy could not have milked goats, reaped corn, or mowed glass, we may add, could not have ridden a horse, trained a vine, shorn a sheep, with the same bodily ease as we do, if at all."

The symbol of creation

'Creation' in the nature of theology story refers to man The author notes that God wants its creation to be happy. Man is to get fulfillment from his toils, occupation, and pursuit. Importantly, as a creation, man is to take control and ensure animals and plants are well taken care of. He writes:

“It is happy therefore for this part of creation, I mean that it is conformable to the frame and wants of their constitution, that nature, by the very disposition of her elements, has commanded, as it were, and imposed upon them, at moderate intervals, a general in-termination of their toils, their occupations, and pursuits.”

The symbol of sleep to night

Sleep to night’ phrase is symbolically used to refer to close relationships in men and animals. Similarly, the phrase refers to interrelated thinking. For instance, reflection is not done without amazement. Therefore, day and night are used in the story to refer to close relationships among men and other creatures. He says:

“If the relation of sleep to night and in some instances, its converse, be real, we cannot reflect without amazement upon the extent to which it carried us.”

The symbol of Oven

The author implies that some sparrows hatch their eggs in an oven. An oven has been used symbolically to refer to a warm climate or area. It is common for most of the sparrows to inhabit moderately cooler areas where they lay eggs and brood but that does not mean that sparrows in warm climatic areas do not lay and hatch. An oven in this scenario refers to hot areas. The author writes:

“Couple of sparrows hatched in an oven, and kept separate from the rest of their species...”

The symbol of an Egg

To portray the natural instincts of animals, the author has used the symbol of an egg. According to the author, a bird naturally knows that it will lay eggs at some point and it starts with preparing the nest. Similarly, all animals have natural instincts and before they lay eggs or give birth, they make advance preparations. All these doings are mysterious and complicated that human beings cannot comprehend. The author asks:

“For, first, what should induce the female bird to prepare a nest before she lays her eggs?”

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