Sheep have been integral to human history for thousands of years, both as a domesticated animal and as a symbol in art, culture, and mythology. Their presence in these domains highlights their importance to different civilizations over time.

Sheep in Art, Culture, and Mythology

1. Ancient Art & Sculpture:

   • The Ancient Greeks often depicted sheep on their pottery and sculptures, showcasing their value in daily life and religious sacrifice.
   • In ancient Sumerian art, sheep were common subjects, symbolizing prosperity and divinity.

2. Biblical References:

   • Sheep are frequently mentioned in the Bible, symbolizing innocence and purity. The most well-known reference is perhaps the "Lamb of God", representing Jesus Christ.
   • The parable of the lost sheep in the New Testament underscores the idea of redemption and divine compassion.

3. Mythology:

   • In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece, from a golden-woolled flying ram, was sought by Jason and the Argonauts.
   • The Norse god Thor had a chariot that was pulled by two rams.

4. Cultural Significance:

   • In pastoral societies, like the Bedouins, the sheep is a central figure, representing livelihood and wealth.
   • In Scotland, sheep farming is a significant cultural and economic activity, with sheepdogs and shearing competitions being notable cultural events.

5. Chinese Zodiac:

   • The sheep (also sometimes referred to as a goat) is one of the 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac. People born in the year of the sheep are believed to have certain personality traits, such as creativity, kindness, and tenderness.

6. Literature and Popular Culture:

   • Sheep have featured in literature from George Orwell's "Animal Farm", where they represent the masses, to the children's rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb".
   • The idiom "like sheep to the slaughter" denotes innocence and unawareness of impending danger.

7. Art and Depictions:

   • From pastoral scenes in Romantic and Renaissance paintings to modern abstract art, sheep have been subjects conveying tranquility, rural life, and purity.
   • They've been used in political cartoons as symbols of conformity and unthinking masses.

8. Festivals and Celebrations:

   • In various cultures, festivals celebrate the shearing of sheep. For example, the Golden Shears in New Zealand is considered the premier sheep shearing competition globally.

9. Fashion & Craft:

   • Wool, derived from sheep, has been a crucial material in clothing for millennia. Its representation in art and design underscores its importance in daily life and luxury.
   • Traditional crafts, such as knitting and tapestry, owe a lot to sheep for providing the primary raw material.

Sheep have multifaceted representations across various domains of art, culture, and mythology. Whether it's the peaceful pastoral scenes in paintings, the allegories in literature, or their celestial importance in zodiac signs, sheep have been and continue to be significant symbols in human history.