Animal mentioned over 130 times in Holy Scripture. It was popular for riding in the Holy Land because of even gait and surefootedness, and was ridden not only by the common people but also by those of highest rank. The triumphant entrance of Our Lord into Jerusalem on the first Palm Sunday was upon an ass: "Fear not, daughter of Sion: behold, thy king cometh, sitting on an ass's colt." (John 12.)