The next in the Virtue series, Fortitude!

You can look at the list in progress here ->LINK

Number 4 :3. Donkeys are unfairly seen as stubborn stupid creatures (hence ‘don’t be an ass’), when in fact they are highly intelligent. Donkeys have a high sense of self preservation, which is how they got the negative ‘stubborn’ stereotype. I got the chance to work with a few before, and I found them to be sweet, gentle animals, but they also have a sense of humor about them.

Donkeys are also deeply rooted in the Catholic/Christian faith, as the donkey has the honor of carrying both the Virgin Mary and Jesus. Thus according to legend, their backs were marked with a cross to show for it.

I chose them to represent the virtue of Fortitude, because once they have a mind to do something, you won’t be able to discourage them. They will also faithfully carry people through all sorts of hardships and weather.

Can you tell these are one of my favorite animals? They are just such dear and sweet things.

Next up! Bat or Boar, or probably work a bit on both at the same time.