The Thorn Bird There is a legend, or myth, that when Christ was carrying the cross to Calvary a small bird – usually represented as  a goldfinch – flew down and plucked one of the thorns from the crown around his head.

Some of Christ’s blood splashed onto the bird as it drew the thorn out, and the spots of red on the plumage of goldfinches is seen as a symbol of the blood of Christ.

This was why children destined for the church – like Giovanni di Medici , shown above, who was the second son of Grand Duke Cosimo, was pictured with the small goldfinch- a sign of his devotion to Christ and his future career.

The image of the goldfinch as a symbol of Christ’s passion is shown in early Trecento and full  Renaissance paintings – such as the one shown above in this image by Cecco di Pietro -active 1370 1414.  Goldfinches eat thistles which are symbolised by the crown of thorns and has a ribbon tied around its foot which is designed to symbolise the soul caged in the body.

As the Christian belief is that only through the Resurrection of Christ is the external soul set free – the bird also becomes a symbol of resurrection.

Also featured are classic images from Tuscany in which the sheaf of millet in the child’s right hand symbolises the bread of communion – and a much more common symbol – the coral around his neck which protects the child against evil and is a classic Christening gift even today.

A more well known vision of the goldfinch is this image by Raphael of the infant Jesus being offered the bird by John the Baptist where he is stroking the bird with some trust

And in the unfinished sculpture by  Michaelangelo  in the Royal Academy – where the child recoils in momentary fear from the horror that the bird foretells.

Vivaldi also wrote music for and about the Goldfinch – Il Gardellino – which you can listen to on YouTube on this attachment by James Galway http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khDWawpPbH8

My friend Federico Maria Sardelli is an expert on Vivaldi and his music and we hope to hear him both play and speak during the forthcoming festival di San Giovanni in Florence at the end of next month.