biblical allegory
Scriptural symbolic narrative
Biblical allegory is a narrative or image where characters, events, or objects represent deeper spiritual meanings drawn from the Bible.
The term covers both allegorical readings of scripture itself—where the story of Jonah might represent death and resurrection—and later works that parallel biblical themes: The Chronicles of Narnia is a biblical allegory with Aslan as a Christ figure.
The tradition dates to early Christian interpreters who found hidden meanings beneath the literal text.
- salvationDeliverance from harm
- faithTrust without proof
- parableInstructive allegorical narrative
- prodigal sonReturning repentant offspring
- typologyClassification by shared traits
lamb · lamb of God · redemption · sin · fall of man · ancient Israel · symbolism · covenant · tree of life · antitype · exegesis · hermeneutics · good shepherd · shepherd · light · darkness · Church Fathers · Babylonian exile
- allegoryAnimal Farm, Narnia, The Little Prince, Bunyan, morality plays
- Sacred Allegoriesparable, Paradise Lost, Pilgrim's Progress, Divine Comedy, prodigal son
- sacred imageryreligious icons, sacred art, religious art, church art, cherubim
- GospelsJesus, gospels, Jesus Christ, apostles, Gospel of Mark
biblical allegoryeyewitness testimony
Evidence from direct observers
historical narrative · reportage · documentary · annals · historiography