This little piece of wood with a cross and two sheep brings to mind a biblical image of one’s soul being ‘cast down’. Although it looks like the one little sheep closest to the cross on its back may be playfully rolling around, it is actually in dire distress, possibly deadly danger. A sheep that has rolled over onto its back is called a “cast” sheep. It will likely not be able to get up without assistance. This happens most commonly with short, stocky sheep with full fleeces on flat terrain. To be cast down is to be in a posture of distress from which one cannot rise on her own.
Why are you cast down, O my soul, and why are you in turmoil within me? Hope in God; for I shall again praise him, my salvation and my God. Psalm 43:5
We need the Lord, our Good Shepherd, to help us up again when we are cast down.