Symbols Apotropaic magic

1 symbols

1.1 egypt
1.2 ancient greece
1.3 evil eye
1.4 grotesquerie
1.5 other

symbols
egypt

this apotropaic wand shows procession of protective deities. such wand have been used in rituals associated birth , perhaps used draw magical circle around mother , child. walters art museum, baltimore.

apotropaic magical rituals practiced throughout ancient near east , egypt. fearsome deities invoked via ritual in order protect individuals warding away evil spirits. in ancient egypt, these household rituals (performed in home, not in state-run temples) embodied deity personified magic itself, heka. 2 gods invoked in these rituals hippopotamusiform fertility goddess, taweret, , lion-demon, bes (who developed apotropaic dwarf demon-god, aha, literally meaning fighter ).

objects used in these rituals in order facilitate communication gods. 1 of commonly found magical objects, ivory apotropaic wand (see birth tusk), gained widespread popularity in middle kingdom (ca. 1550 - 1069 bce). these wands used protect expectant mothers , children malevolent forces, , adorned processions of apotropaic solar deities. likewise, protective amulets bearing likenesses of gods , goddesses taweret commonly worn. water came used in ritual well, wherein libation vessels in shape of taweret used pour healing water on individual. in later periods (when egypt came under greek ptolemies), stele featuring god horus used in similar rituals; water poured on stele and—after ritually acquiring healing powers—was collected in basin afflicted person drink.

ancient greece

the gorgon, flanked lionesses , showing belt clasp of serpents, depicted @ west pediment of 580 b.c. temple of artemis in corfu on display @ archaeological museum of corfu.



chalcidian black-figured eye-cup, circa 530 bc. staatliche antikensammlungen.

among ancient greeks used image intended avert evil of gorgon, head of may called gorgoneion, features wild eyes, fangs, , protruding tongue. full figure of gorgon holds apex of oldest remaining greek temple flanked 2 lionesses. gorgon head mounted on aegis , shield of athena.

evil eye

eyes painted ward off evil eye. exaggerated apotropaic eye or pair of eyes painted on greek drinking vessels called kylikes (eye-cups) 6th century bc. exaggerated eyes may have been intended prevent evil spirits entering mouth while drinking. fishing boats in parts of mediterranean region still have stylised eyes painted on bows. turkish budget airline, fly havayolu taşımacılık a.Ş., had adopted symbol (known nazar boncuğu or nazar bonjuk) motif vertical stabilizer of aeroplanes. yiddish expression, kain ein horeh (קיין עין הרע‎) apotropaic in nature, , literally translates no evil eye , equivalent expression, knock on wood.

grotesquerie

a 12th-century sheela na gig on church @ kilpeck, herefordshire

people believed doorways , windows of buildings particularly vulnerable entry or passage of evil. on churches , castles, gargoyles or other grotesque faces , figures such sheela na gigs , hunky punks carved frighten away witches , other malign influences. figures may have been carved @ fireplaces or chimneys; in cases, simple geometric or letter carvings used these. when wooden post used support chimney opening, easier material amateur carving. discourage witchcraft, rowan wood may have been chosen post or mantel.

similarly grotesque faces carved pumpkin lanterns (and earlier counterparts, made turnips, swedes or beets) @ halloween meant avert evil: season samhain, celtic new year. time between times , believed period when souls of dead , other dangerous spirits walked earth. many european peoples had such associations period following harvest in fall. (see also: celtic calendar)

other

mirrors , other shiny objects believed deflect evil eye. traditional english plough jags (performers of regional variant of mummers play) decorated costumes (particularly hats) shiny items, extent of borrowing silver plate purpose. witch balls shiny blown glass ornaments, christmas baubles, hung in windows.

geto-dacian apotropaic eyes motif on helmet of iron gates (4th century bc)

items , symbols such crosses, crucifixes, silver bullets, wild roses , garlic believed ward off or destroy vampires.

in ireland , great britain, magpies traditionally thought bring bad luck. many people repeated various rhymes or salutations placate them.

a worn out man s buckle shoe found in wainscoting of combination room, st john s college, cambridge, dates mid late 18th century. placed in wall ...as apotropaic item intended ward off evil , bad luck. discovery exciting because kind of magic silent tradition in england. after repairs done wall, shoe re-interred along current coins, custom when dealing finds this. replacing shoe , concealing respects original desire of owner.

in ancient greece, phalloi believed have apotropaic qualities. stone reliefs placed above doorways, , three-dimensional versions erected across greek world. notable of these urban monuments found on island of delos. grotesque, satyr-like bearded faces, pointed cap of workman, carved on doors of ovens , kilns, protect work fire , mishap.

apotropaic marking on farmhouse niemelä tenant farm, exhibited @ seurasaari open air museum in finland

a similar use of phallic representations ward off evil eye remains popular in modern bhutan. associated 500-year-old buddhist tradition of drukpa kunley. paralleled other south asian uses of lingam symbol.

in roman art, apotropaic imagery common theme. envy thought bring bad luck person envied. avoid envy, romans sought incite laughter in guests using humorous images. images such large phalluses (see fascinus), deformities hunchbacks, or pygmies , other non-roman subjects common. romans saw deformity comical , believed such images used deflect evil eye.

in europe, apotropaic figureheads carved onto prow of sailing ships considered have been replacement sacrifice of thrall during age of invasions saxon , viking sailors, avoid bad luck on voyage. dredging of thames under london bridge, led discovery of large number of bent , broken knives, daggers, swords , coins, modern period , dating celtic times. custom seems have been avoid bad luck, particularly when setting off on voyage. similarly, burial of old boot or shoe lintel of door of house, seems have had similar intention.

apotropaic marks such initials of virgin mary scratched near openings of buildings in england ward off witches.