2.  The SERPENT is the general emblem of Sin or Satan; but under the feet of the Virgin it has a peculiar significance.  She has generally her foot on the head of the reptile.  “SHE shall bruise thy head,” as it is interpreted in the Roman Catholic Church.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Ipsa conteret caput tuum.]

3.  The APPLE, which of all the attributes is the most common, signifies the fall of man, which made Redemption necessary.  It is sometimes placed in the hands of the Child; but when in the hand of the Mother, she is then designated as the second Eve.[1]

[Footnote 1:  Mors per Evam:  vita per Mariam.]

4.  The POMEGRANATE, with the seeds displayed, was the ancient emblem of hope, and more particularly of religious hope.  It is often placed in the hands of the Child, who sometimes presents it to his Mother.

Other fruits and flowers, always beautiful accessories, are frequently introduced according to the taste of the artist.  But fruits in a general sense signified “the fruits of the Spirit—­joy, peace, love;” and flowers were consecrated to the Virgin:  hence we yet see them placed before her as offerings.

5.  EARS OF WHEAT in the hand of the Infant (as in a lovely little Madonna by Ludovico Caracci)[1] figured the bread in the Eucharist, and GRAPES the wine.

[Footnote 1:  Lansdowne Collection.  There was another exactly similar in the collection of Mr. Rogers.]

6.  The BOOK.—­In the hand of the Infant Christ, the book is the Gospel in a general sense, or it is the Book of Wisdom.  In the hand of the Madonna, it may have one of two meanings.  When open, or when she has her finger between the leaves, or when the Child is turning over the pages, then it is the Book of Wisdom, and is always supposed to be open at the seventh chapter.  When the book is clasped or sealed, it is a mystical symbol of the Virgin herself, as I have already explained.

7.  The DOVE, as the received emblem of the Holy Spirit, is properly placed above, as hovering over the Virgin.  There is an exception to this rule in a very interesting picture in the Louvre, where the Holy Dove (with the nimbus) is placed at the feet of the Child.[1] This is so unusual, and so contrary to all the received proprieties of religious art, that I think the nimbus may have been added afterwards.

[Footnote 1:  The Virgin has the air of a gipsy. (Louvre, 515.)]

The seven doves round the head of the Virgin signify the seven gifts of the Spirit.  These characterize her as personified Wisdom—­the Mater Sapientiae.

Doves placed near Mary when she is reading, or at work in the temple, are expressive of her gentleness and tenderness.