Reminds me of something I read from a diary of a missionary in Africa who kept captive chimps.
One day he raised a big crusifix in front one of the chimps, and the chimp cowered, and covered its head.
The missionary said something to the effect that that particular chimp had a history of being impudent and anti authority, and obviously couldnt face God.
He's a friggin' monkey!
He doesnt know from symbolism. He saw the missionary brandish a big stick, so obviously he covered his head because he assumed the man was gonna hit him with it!