12 Famous Donkeys from History, Pop Culture, and Folklore—Perfect for World Donkey Day
Celebrate World Donkey Day by discovering 12 unforgettable donkeys from myth, history, and pop culture. Each proves that these humble heroes have left a mighty hoofprint on our hearts and stories.
- Alyana Aguja
- 4 min read
From ancient scripture to cartoon blockbusters, donkeys have carried more than burdens — wisdom, humor, and heart, down through the ages. This list celebrates 12 unforgettable donkeys from history, legend, and popular culture, revealing their unexpected depth, devotion, and symbolic significance. Whether speaking with prophetic authority or pilfering scenes with comic charm, these long-eared legends are worthy of the spotlight this World Donkey Day.
1. Donkey (Shrek)
Image from Wikipedia
Animated by Eddie Murphy, Donkey is the talkative, steadfast sidekick to Shrek in the popular children’s animated series. His infectious energy, comical behavior, and surprising bouts of insight bring him to the forefront as an unforgettable character. He even has a romance with a dragon, showing that love has no bounds.
2. Eeyore (Winnie the Pooh)
Image from Disney Wiki - Fandom
Eeyore is the gloomy but lovable donkey of A. A. Milne’s Winnie the Pooh stories. With his disconsolate views and tail almost always pinned back, Eeyore provides muted humor and reassurance that even the most withdrawn characters are of consequence. His devoted friends within the Hundred Acre Wood always find room for his singular existence.
3. Balaam’s Donkey (Bible, Book of Numbers)
Image from Apologetics Press
One of the most well-known donkeys in religious literature, Balaam’s donkey talks to her master in the Bible to alert him to an angel standing in their way. In Numbers 22, this is a unique instance of divine intervention through an animal’s voice. The donkey is actually smarter than the prophet she bears.
4. Dominick the Donkey (Christmas Song)
Image from SoundCloud
“Dominick the Donkey” is a 1960 novelty Christmas tune about an Italian donkey named Dominick who assists Santa Claus in delivering gifts. The catchy song by Lou Monte has become a bouncy holiday tradition, particularly in Italian-American neighborhoods. Dominick’s appeal is his jovial braying and holiday cheer.
5. Jenny (Napoleon’s Donkey)
Image from Poplar Grove Stud
Napoleon Bonaparte had a favorite donkey named Jenny in his exile on the island of Elba. She was allegedly one of the few sources of comfort for his exile and reportedly buried with a monument. Jenny is a testament that even emperors enjoy companionship with lowly beasts.
6. Benjamin (Animal Farm)
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In George Orwell’s Animal Farm, Benjamin is the cynical, ironic donkey that usually knows the truth but doesn’t always do anything about it. He symbolizes cynicism and the working-class viewer in political revolutions. His sorrow when Boxer the horse is removed exemplifies his profound, if unobtrusive, loyalty.
7. Nestor the Long-Eared Christmas Donkey
Image from Michael Thompson - Medium
Nestor is the protagonist of a 1977 Rankin/Bass stop-motion Christmas special. His abnormally long ears bring him ridicule until they assist Mary in finding her way to Bethlehem on the night of Jesus’ birth. It’s a touching story of how an apparent weakness is a gift from God.
8. Small One (Disney’s The Small One)
Image from Disney Plus
This 1978 animated short film is about a boy in Nazareth who has to sell his old donkey, Small One. After being turned down by numerous people, the donkey is purchased by Joseph to take Mary to Bethlehem. The movie is a heartwarming depiction of faith, generosity, and respectful goodbyes.
9. Puzzle (The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis)
Image from The Chronicles of Narnia Wiki - Fandom
Puzzle is a donkey coerced into playing the role of Aslan the Lion in The Last Battle, the last book of The Chronicles of Narnia. Naive as he is, he’s not evil, and his journey becomes one of redemption and remorse. Puzzle illustrates how good intentions can be used for ill under the pretense of authority.
10. Jacques the Donkey (French WWI Mascot)
Image from Wikimedia Commons
Jacques was an adopted donkey from French troops during World War I as a mascot for the regiment. Jacques was used to haul supplies and bring morale among the horrors of trench warfare. Troops habitually wrote to the home country about Jacques, the symbol of stability and consolation.
11. The Donkey in “The Bremen Town Musicians”
Image from Louisa Giffard - WordPress.com
In the original Brothers Grimm fairy tale, a donkey joins forces with a dog, a cat, and a rooster to escape from their cruel masters. They start a musical company and outsmart a group of robbers by pretending to be a frightening beast. The donkey is the group’s first and possibly leader, cunning and optimistic even in old age.
12. Buridan’s Donkey (Philosophical Paradox)
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This famous thought experiment describes a donkey placed equidistant from two equal piles of hay and starves because it cannot make a rational choice. It shows the dilemma of decision paralysis when confronting equally weighted choices. While fictional, “Buridan’s Donkey” is an oft-quoted idea in philosophy and behavioral science.