symbol
Prophet's Beard
Young Daniel in den scenes; older beard in vision cycles.
Iconography & biography archive
Era: 6th century BC (exile) · Babylon, PersiaFeast: July 21 (Byzantine); December 17 in some calendarsCategory: Old Testament
Sources: Book of Daniel; apocalyptic visions; Susanna addition in Catholic canon.
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Browse depictions9 works
Selected depiction
Daniel (Anoniem 1617-1620 naar ontwerp van Peter Paul Rubens)
Wikimedia Commons
Old Testament
Daniel
Daniel the Prophet
Feast: July 21 (Byzantine); December 17 in some calendars
Beginner difficulty
prophet—prays in the lions’ den and reads the writing on the wall.
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Iconographic Attributes
Symbols that identify this saint in sacred art
symbol
Prophet's Beard
Young Daniel in den scenes; older beard in vision cycles.
object
Book
Visions and court wisdom—not evangelist tetramorph.
object
Scroll
Apocalyptic prophet
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Iconographic Field Guide
How to read Daniel in paintings, sculpture, and altarpieces
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.
object
Book
Visions and court wisdom—not evangelist tetramorph.
object
Scroll
Apocalyptic prophet
Typical vesture
- —Persian or court robes
Color conventions
Artists often dress Daniel in gold, crimson, blue—these hues are not rigid rules but long-standing conventions that help recognition in polyptychs and chapel cycles.
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Visual Gallery
Selected depictions of Daniel from verified sources
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (Anoniem 1617-1620 naar ontwerp van Peter Paul Rubens)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (Daniel-In-The-Den-Of-Lions FrancoisVerdier.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (Daniel in the Lions' Den, by Briton Rivière.jpg)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (David Teniers - Daniel in the Lion's Den Cat697-pma.)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (Hosios Loukas (diakonikon) - Daniel in the lions' de)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (James Northcote - Daniel in the Lions' Den - BF.1985)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (Peter Paul Rubens - Daniel in the Lions' Den - KMSst)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (Sir Peter Paul Rubens - Daniel in the Lions' Den - G)
Wikimedia Commons
Painting
Daniel (Twelve Temptations - Daniel in the Lions' Den LCCN20)
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Biographical Archive
Life, witness, and historical framing
is courage under empire. Victorian painters loved the den for drama; Rubens made the lions muscular theology. Always count the lions.
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Visual Recognition Guide
Clues ordered for museum identification
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
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Patronage and Devotion
Why communities invoke this figure
courageprisoners (traditional)
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Distinguishing Similar Figures
Avoid common misidentifications in galleries
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
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Notes from the Archive
Scholarly curiosities and cult details
- ✝Rubens and Rivière painted lions’ den scenes still used in museums worldwide
At a glance
- Feast
- July 21 (Byzantine); December 17 in some calendars
- Category
- Old Testament
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Patron of
- courageprisoners (traditional)
Life & legacy
Daniel is courage under empire. Victorian painters loved the den for drama; Rubens made the lions muscular theology. Always count the lions.
Curiosities
- Rubens and Rivière painted lions’ den scenes still used in museums worldwide
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