This thesis summarizes and explains the use of zoomorphic motifs in pre-Romanesque and early Romanesque art on the eastern coast of the Adriatic. This area has been artistically influenced by eastern as well as western cultures considering its favorable position. The result of that is a specific type of artistic production, but still almost exclusively related to religion and church furniture and decorations. Animals have always been a part of everyday life and, as a consequence to that fact, a part of artistic production. Zoomorphic motifs usually bring certain connotations in a human mind; that is precisely the reason why they were used in art (especially religion-related art) – they transferred a message in an understandable and allegoric way. Motifs used most in this specific time frame and geographic position are listed in this thesis, along with examples, in an attempt to organize and explain them. After the introduction, the second chapter explains the historical circumstances in which said works of art were produced. The third, main chapter, divides the zoomorphic motifs and gives examples on each of them, explaining the similarities, differences and their development. Although it is impossible to divide the motifs in strict chronological order, the doves were listed firs as they were the most used motif in the 7th and 8th century. They are followed by deer, that almost never stood as the main motif and were usually next to another animal. Lions were a widespread motif and used a lot in the 8th and 9th century, not rarely in combination with eagles, which are the following subheading. Similar is the case with the bull and the dog, although the two have different connotations. Peacock is, on the other hand, a motif used very frequently because of its “heavenly” attributes so there are a lot of examples listed. A very important chapter describes the griffin and works of art that used it as a way of spreading a certain message.