Animal Magic
This article discusses the mythological significance of the three most frequently occurring rock art motifs in the middle of northern Sweden, that is of elks, boats and humans. It is here suggested that the most frequently depicted motifs can be related directly to potency in societies practising sh...
| Published in: | Journal of Material Culture |
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| Main Author: | |
| Format: | Article in Journal/Newspaper |
| Language: | English |
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SAGE Publications
2000
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| Online Access: | http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/135918350000500202 http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/135918350000500202 |
| Summary: | This article discusses the mythological significance of the three most frequently occurring rock art motifs in the middle of northern Sweden, that is of elks, boats and humans. It is here suggested that the most frequently depicted motifs can be related directly to potency in societies practising shamanism during the Neolithic and Bronze Age. The close relationship between rock carvings/paintings and water is emphasized as important when understanding the mythological message expressed in the rock art. It is furthermore assumed that some of the images of elks, boats and humans may portray the experience of the ritual conductor in his/her attempt to communicate with the spiritual world. |
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