The three gifts that Coll, Gyb, and Daw bring for the Christ child—a bunch of cherries, a bird, and a ball—symbolize Christ’s status as the Son of God. With their crimson-red juices, the cherries signify the blood Christ will spill for the sake of the world through his eventual crucifixion and redemption of mankind. The bird represents the Christian symbol of a dove, reflecting the peace Christ brings to the earth. Lastly, the ball symbolizes the orb. A common symbol in the Medieval period, the orb is often depicted in Medieval art with a scepter and represents power and royalty. Thus, the ball represents Christ’s power and status as a spiritual King. Together, the three gifts reveal Christ’s status as human and God. In addition, the gifts also reflect the shepherds’ generosity despite their crippling poverty, ultimately leading them to earn redemption.
The Three Gifts Symbol Timeline in The Second Shepherd’s Play
