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The Symbolic Meaning of Black and White Dogs in Paintings
Old art with surprising meanings
It is hard not to be intrigued by a painting like this. Notice in the bottom left a black and white dog crouched down with what looks like a large cigar in its mouth.
Next to the dog is a globe or an orb. Together, the dog and the globe have symbolic significance. But of what exactly? The answer might surprise you.
The Setting and Background
Looking at the wider painting we see a robed man dressed in black and white.
In art, a robed figure like this is typically St Dominic, the founder of the Dominican Order of preaching monks. He can be identified by the stark colouration of his habit: the white scapular that has come to stand for purity, while the black cloak symbolises penance and mortification. The black cloak gave rise to the alternative name for the Order: Black Friars.
Dominic became a popular subject in art, especially in Spain, the country of his birth. He was born in the 12th century and travelled throughout much of Europe to spread the message of the gospels.
