The symbols tied to the Democratic and Republican parties have actually been around for more than 100 years
Elephants and Donkeys: How Did the Political Parties Get Their Animal Symbols?
Published on Oct. 29, 2024
Election season is here, and along with all those annoying commercials for the various candidates, you have likely seen certain symbols associated with each major political party in the United States. They’re practically flooding our social media feeds and TV screens. Of course, we’re talking about the elephant and donkey, with the former representing the Republican Party and the latter as the symbol of the Democrats. But why have these animals long been associated with the left and right sides of the political spectrum?
You may be surprised to learn that the relationship between the elephant and donkey and political parties in the U.S. goes all the way back to the mid-1800s. Read on to find out how we got here.
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Why do political parties have animal symbols?
“The donkey and the elephant serve as a combination logo and mascot for political parties,” Alan J. Singer, PhD, professor of teaching, learning and technology and the director of social studies education programs at Hofstra University, explains to Reader’s Digest.
The same 19th-century political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, is credited with popularizing both symbols, though he didn’t create either.
What is the history behind the donkey for Democrats?
President Andrew Jackson, our nation’s seventh president and a Democrat, was first associated with the donkey symbol.
“According to legend, Andrew Jackson, who was president from 1829 until 1837 and represented the new Democratic Party, was called a jackass by his opponents,” Singer explains. “Jackson owned the image and included it in campaign posters.”
Following Jackson’s presidency, the donkey connection to the Democrats dwindled down for future election cycles until the 1870s, when Nast revived it with his political artwork in the journal Harper’s Weekly.
What is the history behind the elephant for Republicans?
The elephant symbol for the Republican Party originated during the American Civil War, which lasted from 1861 to 1865. “Northern [Union] soldiers used the phrase ‘seeing the elephant’ to mean they had participated in combat,” Singer says.
“That may have been the origin of referring to the Republican Party, the party of Lincoln, as elephants,” he explains. “In 1864, a reelection flyer for Abraham Lincoln included an image of an elephant holding up a Union banner.”
When did the elephant and donkey become standard for each party?
It wasn’t until the 1870s, when Nast, who became known as the “father of the American cartoon,” used his artistic skills in Harper’s Weekly to showcase these symbols for each party in various cartoons. After that, others followed his lead and continued to connect the animals to their respective parties.
Nast was credited with “influencing the nation’s vote and affecting the outcomes of six presidential elections between 1864 and 1884″—so much so that he earned the nickname “President Maker,” according to the artist’s bio at the Norman Rockwell Museum in Massachusetts.
Has either party tried to change symbols over the years?
While there is little evidence to support the fact that the parties have tried to fully abandon these symbols, in 1985, New York Magazine reported that the Democratic party was trying to drop the donkey.
Terry Michael, the party’s press secretary at the time, said, “We’re just looking for some designs for new stationery, not shunning the donkey. The donkey never played any part in our decision.” He added that the Democrats were not instructing officials to refrain from using the symbol.
This did not stick, and the symbol is still used today. While the donkey isn’t as prominently featured in an official capacity for the party as the elephant is by Republicans, it still was recently seen in crowd images at the 2024 Democratic National Convention. You can also spot the animal on merchandise for sale on the Democratic Party website.
As for the elephant, it is notably used as the photo for the verified GOP social media channels, and the icon is featured front and center on the party’s website.
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At Reader’s Digest, we’re committed to producing high-quality content by writers with expertise and experience in their field in consultation with relevant, qualified experts. We rely on reputable primary sources, including government and professional organizations and academic institutions as well as our writers’ personal experiences where appropriate. For this piece on the elephant and donkey political symbols, Rachel Maresca Patterson tapped her experience as a longtime journalist covering news, lifestyle and entertainment. We verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Alan J. Singer, PhD, professor of teaching, learning and technology and the director of social studies education programs at Hofstra University; email interview, Oct. 19, 2024
- Norman Rockwell Museum: “Thomas Nast”
- Chicago Tribune: “Democrats denying reports that donkey will be dropped”
- Politico Magazine: “Cartoonists Take on the Democrat Donkey”
