8 of the Holiest Animals of the World’s Religions (5 of 5)

8. Sheep (Judaism, Christianity, Islam)

Sheep hold special meaning in Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as this animal was an integral part of all three religions’ sacrificial systems that date back to ancient times. The Jewish people commemorated Passover, when the Israelites were liberated from Egyptian slavery, by sacrificing and consuming a lamb. Although Christianity abolished the practice of animal sacrifice, Jesus chose to represent “the lamb of God” who freed the world of sin. In Islam, sheep are sacrificed during the holiday of Eid al-Adha, which commemorates the event where God tests Abraham’s faith by commanding him to sacrifice his son, Isaac, and when Abraham shows a willingness to comply, an angel intervenes and provides him with a ram instead.