European Gold Finch

European Goldfinch is a symbol of Jesus' Passion. There is a medieval legend that shares that when Jesus was either carrying the cross or hanging on the cross a goldfinch flew down and plucked a thorn from the crown on His head. A drop of blood fell on the bird’s head.

A favorite food of the goldfinch is thistle seeds. A thistle is a common plant with prickles or small thorns.