Elizabethan Portrait
Here is a portait of Queen Elizabeth created in 1580-5 by Marcus Gheeraerts the Elder. There was no name for this oil painting, Within this portrait the queen is holding an olive branch in her left hand, a sword and dog beside her feet.
Symbols seen in Queen Elizabeth portraits -
The pelican - This was one of the most used symbol within Queen Elizabeth portriats. This was to portray her motherly love as mother pelicans were believed to pluck their own breasts to feed their dying young. The mother would then die and this became the symbol to represent jesus sacraising his life on the cross.
Dogs - Dogs ssymbolize trust, loyalty and faithfulness as they stick by their owners side throughout their life.
Gloves represented elegance and wealth.
Olive branches which can be seen included in this portrait represents peace.
Ermine - This is an animal of the weasel family.This was believed to symbolize royalty and high nobility
A sieve - This is the symbol to symbolize her virginity and purity.
Crowns, obs and scepters were used to symbolize and signify monarchy
A phoenix - This is a mythological bird which never dies however after 500 years is consumed by fire and re-born. This then makes it a symbolism of Resurrection, endurance and eternal life. Only one bird is alive so also represents the queens uniqueness and longevity.
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