The majority of the symbolism is religious symbolism due to the religious nature of the scene depicted. Joseph appears to be making a mouse trap, and this likely symbolizes the trap and defeat of the devil. A scroll and a book in front of Mary are said to represent the Old and New Testaments respectively. The lilies in the vase symbolize Mary’s virginity. The sixteen-sided table may represent the sixteen main Hebrew prophets. An interesting detail in the painting is that the décor and characteristics of the house present in the center panel seem to depict a house modern to the time it was painted and not what the house would look like in ancient times. This allowed the viewers to relate better to the painting and the scene within it. There are many other interesting and subtle details, but I will not list them all
The majority of the symbolism is religious symbolism due to the religious nature of the scene depicted. Joseph appears to be making a mouse trap, and this likely symbolizes the trap and defeat of the devil. A scroll and a book in front of Mary are said to represent the Old and New Testaments respectively. The lilies in the vase symbolize Mary’s virginity. The sixteen-sided table may represent the sixteen main Hebrew prophets. An interesting detail in the painting is that the décor and characteristics of the house present in the center panel seem to depict a house modern to the time it was painted and not what the house would look like in ancient times. This allowed the viewers to relate better to the painting and the scene within it. There are many other interesting and subtle details, but I will not list them all