Shigir Idol
The Shigir Idol is a wooden sculpture, found in a bog in the Urals. What remains of it now is a 2.8 meter idol, but it may have been 5.8 meter tall. The sculpture was made right after the end of the last Ice Age and was made from larch.
The Shigir sculpture definitely had a religious function. The carvings show another 6 humanoid faces below the head of the figure, perhaps depicting deities or forest spirits. Near the idol, decorated antlers dating back to the same period were also found, possibly part of a ritual.
The Shigir Idol is the oldest known wood carving, but definitely not the only European wooden cult figurine found. All around Europe, from ancient Greece to Scandinavia, wooden idols were often made to depict deities and became important religious sites.
The Shigir Idol is a wooden sculpture, found in a bog in the Urals. What remains of it now is a 2.8 meter idol, but it may have been 5.8 meter tall. The sculpture was made right after the end of the last Ice Age and was made from larch.
The Shigir sculpture definitely had a religious function. The carvings show another 6 humanoid faces below the head of the figure, perhaps depicting deities or forest spirits. Near the idol, decorated antlers dating back to the same period were also found, possibly part of a ritual.
The Shigir Idol is the oldest known wood carving, but definitely not the only European wooden cult figurine found. All around Europe, from ancient Greece to Scandinavia, wooden idols were often made to depict deities and became important religious sites.
Carnyx
The Carnyx is a Celtic Iron Age war horn, recognized by its bell shaped like a boar’s head or other animals’ heads. It was used by the Celts to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents during battles.
Etymologically, the name is connected to the same root as that of the Celtic god Cernunnos, meaning ‘horn’ or ‘antler.’
The Carnyx is a Celtic Iron Age war horn, recognized by its bell shaped like a boar’s head or other animals’ heads. It was used by the Celts to strike fear into the hearts of their opponents during battles.
Etymologically, the name is connected to the same root as that of the Celtic god Cernunnos, meaning ‘horn’ or ‘antler.’
Svetovid
Svetovid is a Slavic deity who was primarily worshipped on the island of Rügen by the Rujani tribe.
The temple at Jaromarsburg (used into the 12th century) contained a statue of Svetovid holding a drinking horn filled with mead.
He has four heads, representing both the four compass points and the four seasons.
Svetovid is a Slavic deity who was primarily worshipped on the island of Rügen by the Rujani tribe.
The temple at Jaromarsburg (used into the 12th century) contained a statue of Svetovid holding a drinking horn filled with mead.
He has four heads, representing both the four compass points and the four seasons.
Though primarily being worshipped on Rügen, veneration of Svetovid was not limited to the island. In fact, he has names in many Slavic languages and idols were found in places outside of Rügen. The image above is of a small wooden statue of Svetovid intended for home worship, found in Pomerania, Poland.
Willemstad Figurine
The Willemstad Figurine is a small wooden idol, found in the Netherlands between the roots of an oak tree. It must have been placed there on purpose by the people who used it 6500 years ago.
While it is difficult to know exactly what this idol was used for by the hunter-gatherers of that period, it is known that idols were used by them at burial sites to establish contact with the realm of spirits.
The Willemstad Figurine is a small wooden idol, found in the Netherlands between the roots of an oak tree. It must have been placed there on purpose by the people who used it 6500 years ago.
While it is difficult to know exactly what this idol was used for by the hunter-gatherers of that period, it is known that idols were used by them at burial sites to establish contact with the realm of spirits.
Bergakker Inscription
The Bergakker Inscription is a runic inscription found on a 5th century scabbard. It is the oldest known attestation of the Old Dutch language and proof that the Franks did in fact use the runic alphabet (Elder Futhark).
While the exact meaning of the inscription is unknown, the word ann (ᚨᚾᚾ) is the earliest known Dutch word and means ‘give’ (Dutch: ‘(ik) gun’).
The Bergakker Inscription is a runic inscription found on a 5th century scabbard. It is the oldest known attestation of the Old Dutch language and proof that the Franks did in fact use the runic alphabet (Elder Futhark).
While the exact meaning of the inscription is unknown, the word ann (ᚨᚾᚾ) is the earliest known Dutch word and means ‘give’ (Dutch: ‘(ik) gun’).
Bronze Lur
The bronze lur is a Germanic Bronze Age instrument, used both as a ceremonial instrument and as a war horn.
Several rock paintings in Scandinavia depict people playing the instrument. Lurs have been discovered in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Latvia.
The bronze lur is a Germanic Bronze Age instrument, used both as a ceremonial instrument and as a war horn.
Several rock paintings in Scandinavia depict people playing the instrument. Lurs have been discovered in Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Latvia.
Indo-European Chaoskampf
An element found in nearly all Indo-European faiths is a battle between a hero or deity and a serpent or dragon. The dragon or serpent loses in these battles, but in some cases the slayer of the dragon/serpent dies as well. Often, the deity is a thunder or storm god.
The following posts will contain a couple of interesting examples.
An element found in nearly all Indo-European faiths is a battle between a hero or deity and a serpent or dragon. The dragon or serpent loses in these battles, but in some cases the slayer of the dragon/serpent dies as well. Often, the deity is a thunder or storm god.
The following posts will contain a couple of interesting examples.
The Greeks have various related stories as well. One of these is the battle between the giant serpent Typhon and the Greek thunder and sky god Zeus. By slaying this serpent with his thunderbolts, Zeus becomes the king of the gods.