Prophet's Beard
Young Daniel in den scenes; older beard in vision cycles.
Old Testament
Daniel
Daniel the Prophet
Lions gathered around a living man point to Daniel in the den. Their stillness or restless movement can shape the mood of the scene.
Daniel in the lions’ denBriton Rivière · 1872
01 / 04
- Feast
- December 17 (Byzantine calendar)
- Era
- 6th century BC (exile) · Babylon, Persia
- Difficulty
- Beginner
Iconographic Attributes
Iconographic field guide
Identifying features
Lions’ den is the signature scene—calm prophet among beasts. Writing on the wall (Belshazzar feast) uses glowing text as attribute. Saint Mark’s lion is symbolic; Daniel’s lions are narrative and numerous.
- Clothing
- Persian or court robes
- Colours
- gold · crimson · blue
- Symbols
- lion · stone
Visual Gallery
Works / 04Daniel in the lions’ denBriton Rivière · 1872
Daniel in the lions’ denDavid Teniers the Younger · c. 1655–1656
Daniel in the lions’ denJames Northcote · 1818
Daniel in the lions’ denPeter Paul Rubens · c. 1614–1616
Biography
Life & legacy
Daniel 6In Daniel 6, the courtier Daniel continues to pray despite a royal prohibition. Cast into the lions’ den, he survives; the account attributes his deliverance to an angel. Artists often show him praying amid the lions.
Book of Daniel; apocalyptic visions; Susanna addition in Catholic canon.
Representation in Sacred Art
Narrative scenes to recognize
in the lions' den
writing on the wall
fiery furnace (companions)
Visual Recognition Guide
1.Lions in den
Defining narrative of Daniel 6
2.Young or bearded prophet in court dress
Exile in Babylon
3.Writing on the wall (Belshazzar feast)
Mene Tekel narrative
4.Book or scroll of visions
Apocalyptic prophet
Distinguishing Similar Figures
Often confused with Saint Mark: Both associated with lions symbolically; Daniel is in a den narrative
Often confused with David: Both young heroes; lions identify Daniel
Notes from the Archive
- Rubens and Rivière painted lions’ den scenes still used in museums worldwide
Practice
