Symbology

In today’s installment of What the Flock, we’re delving into the meaning behind our most cherished symbols: the sheep, the rope and knot, the shepherd’s crook, and the sheep-riding Moutonière herself.

1. Sheep

Let’s start with the sheep.

Sheep symbolize comfort. Those fleece jackets and fuzzy blankets we swaddled ourselves in during college? They owe their name to the original fleece — the soft, warm coat of the sheep, lovingly sheared to create wool.

Sheep are also icons of nature and adventure. These hardy creatures thrive in the most remote and beautiful places, from the Swiss Alps to New Zealand, where sheep famously outnumber people. Exploring sheep stations like Minaret Station or Mt. Nicholas offers a glimpse of some of the world’s most stunning landscapes.

And let’s not forget stability and luxury. Sheep give us treasures like bespoke wool suits, cozy overcoats, and high-performance Merino base layers. They grace our tables with celebratory dishes — rack of lamb, roast leg of lamb, or a whole lamb on a spit. Historically, sheep and wool fueled economies, propped up kingdoms, and inspired rhymes (Baa Baa Black Sheep, anyone?). Sheep even played a role in shaping modern ideas of private land and taxation.

They’re also about community — within the flock and among the shepherds, dyers, weavers, and makers whose lives revolve around them. Paradoxically, the sheep also embodies rebellion and individuality as the proverbial black sheep. Some of our boldest projects will carry the mark of Mouton Noir, my nom de plume for our adventurous side.

Sheep appear across myths and cultures: Jason and the Golden Fleece, the Agnus Dei, the Boy Who Cried Wolf, Abraham’s Qurbani lamb, and even the Sheep Man of Haruki Murakami. Whether in fables or zodiac calendars, sheep are one of the great symbolic animals.

2. Rope and Knot

Our rope and knot represent creativity, craftsmanship, teamwork, and versatility.

Ropes are stronger together — multiple strands twisted or braided into one. At Moutonière, the rope reflects the union of artists, artisans, and patrons: artists dream up beauty, artisans bring it to life, and patrons support and guide the creation of lasting legacies. Together, we weave a community capable of more beauty than we could achieve alone.

Knots, meanwhile, are where functionality meets artistry. They range from the practical (sailing knots, scarf knots, nets) to the conceptual, representing the intricate geometry of mathematical knot theory. A knot transforms a simple rope into something more — a testament to creativity and craftsmanship.

At Moutonière, we see ourselves as braiding the ropes and tying the knots that unite our community in creating beauty.

3. Shepherd’s Crook

The shepherd’s crook is a symbol of care, protection, and guidance.

Shepherds use their crooks to guide and protect sheep, to catch or lift fallen ones, and to support themselves across rough terrain. In ancient Egypt, the shepherd’s crook (heka) symbolized authority and agricultural power.

At Moutonière, the crook represents curation. We see ourselves as shepherds of our flock, guiding artists, artisans, and collectors to create beautiful works. Curation is the belief that taste should never be outsourced; it’s an opinion we back with every carefully chosen collaborator and product.

The double crook, subtly asymmetrical, reflects the complementary visions of Julia and Serena, the founders shepherding Moutonière forward.

4. Moutonière

The name Moutonière was inspired by a 1969 photograph of two girls joyfully riding sheep through a Cornwall field. These girls raised their sheep from lambs, turning a playful pastime into a delightful spectacle at agricultural shows.

Just as chevalier means horse rider, Moutonière means sheep rider — but with an added sense of joy and freedom. It’s about doing things differently, caring deeply, and striving for hard-earned beauty.

Our logo captures this spirit: a Moutonière and her sheep, bounding forward in jubilant harmony.

5. The Importance of Symbols and Meaning

Meaning is a dimension of beauty.

A product’s design, function, and craftsmanship draw us in, but its meaning often holds us. Maybe it’s the story behind a brooch’s invisible gemsetting, a chair named for a designer’s granddaughter, or the well-worn patina of a beloved bag.

At Moutonière, our symbology imbues each product with deeper beauty. The sheep’s fluffiness, the rope’s teamwork, the knot’s creativity, the crook’s guidance, and the Moutonière’s adventurous joy — all find their way into what we create.

Through our symbols, we invite you to carry a vision of the good life: one that’s beautiful, meaningful, and uniquely your own.

— Mouton Noir