Dolphins of Delaware Valley

St. Christopher's Church
226 Righters Mill Road, Gladwyne, PA 19035
 Phone: 610-649-5594 Fax: 610-649-5643

www.dolphinsofdelawarevalley.org

Why the Dolphin?

The creature whose picture appears above is the dolphin, the official animal of the Dolphins of Delaware Valley, a group of volunteers who provide a visiting ministry with the elderly in nursing or retirement homes. In ancient times, the dolphin was observed to have characteristics of swiftness, diligence and love. Modern scientists have studied the remarkable intelligence of these animals, and have noted that they appear to have a sophisticated system of communication and cooperative action.

The dolphin appeared in Greek and Roman mythology, and since the second century A.D. it has been a Christian symbol. The Dolphin is portrayed in Christian art more frequently than any other fish - although it is really a mammal. Generally, it has come to symbolize resurrection and salvation and was often shown bearing the souls of the dead across the waters to the world beyond. Depicted with an anchor or a boat, it symbolized the Christian soul, or the church, being guided toward salvation by Christ. It frequently represented the whale in the story of Jonah. This, in turn, led to the use of the dolphin as the symbol of the Resurrection and also, more rarely, as a symbol of Christ. (adapted from Signs and Symbols in Christian Art, by George Ferguson)