The use of the dolphin as a
Christian symbol is connected with the general
ideas underlying the more general use of the
fish. The particular
idea is that of swiftness and celerity symbolizing the desire with which
Christians, who are thus represented as being sharers in the
nature of Christ the
true Fish, should seek after the
knowledge of
Christ. Hence the representation is generally of two dolphins tending towards the sacred monogram or some other emblem of Christ. In other cases the particular
idea is that of
love and tenderness. Aringhi (Roma Subterr., II, 327) gives an example of a dolphin with a heart, and other instances have some such motto as PIGNUS AMORIS HABES (i.e. thou hast a pledge of
love). It is sometimes used as an emblem of merely conjugal
love on funeral monuments. With an
anchor the dolphin occurs frequently on early
Christian rings, representing the attachment of the
Christian to Christ crucified. Speaking generally, the dolphin is the symbol of the
individual Christian, rather than of
Christ Himself, though in some instances the dolphin with the anchor seems to be intended as a representation of Christ upon the Cross.