The use of crabs (Decapoda, Brachyura) in religious iconography: The case of Saint Francis Xavier

Representations of animals, mainly vertebrates, are an integral part of human culture. Interestingly, several images of crustaceans have been associated with mythological or religious scenes. Here, the use of crabs in religious iconography is analysed in a particular case: the miracle of Saint Francis Xavier involving a crab. Relics, oil canvas, fresco paintings, gravures and sculptures, mainly in baroque style, were used to illustrate a scene that is supposed to have occurred in a Maluku island (formerly Moluccas, Indonesia). Some representations are very realistic and were probably based on European species. In addition, the Indo-Pacific swimming crab Charybdis ( Charybdis ) feriata is associated with this Christian tradition.