Apotropaion
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An apotropaion (from ancient Greek ἀποτρόπαιος apotrópaios , German “[disaster] averting” ; especially epithet of the gods averting disaster) or apotropaeum is a magical object or image to protect against evil forces.
Examples
An objective apotropaion was attached in antiquity to protect people, animals, buildings, etc. and was intended to ward off the evil effects of sorcery, the " evil eye " and other adverse forces. It could e.g. B. have the shape of an animal or human head, for example in the form of a Gorgoneion on the Aegis of Athena .
As apotropaion are also popular among the Romans, FASCINUM called phallic sculptures to look at, often together with other objects to apotropaeic bells games ( Tintinnabula were combined). The late aftermath of this are the numerous medieval heads with tongues hanging out or even erotic motifs on eaves or on misericords .
Also known are the eye idols , animal feet that are less commonly used apotropaically such as lion paws. In later times, Apotropaia were often retained in a decorative function, as an envy head or gable cross.
To this day, Nazar amulets and the “ Hand of Fatima ” are used in the Middle East and the Maghreb to ward off the evil eye.
architecture
In the field of architecture, too, there are sometimes abstract decorative motifs that - to be assessed differently depending on the region and time - originally had a disaster-preventing significance (e.g. opus spicatum , checkerboard stones , diamond or triangular motifs, etc.). The most important criteria when interpreting a motif are its age and its (almost) exclusive application on exterior walls and, moreover, near doors and windows or on corners.
photos
Tintinnabulum from Herculaneum
Gorgoneion on a keystone of an archway
Shop in Boston with Nazar amulets
" Opus spicatum " motif on the outside wall of a house in Igherm n'Ougdal , High Atlas , Morocco
Checkerboard at the village church of Mallnow , Brandenburg
Sheela-na-Gig at the Church of St Mary and St David in Kilpeck, Herefordshire . Possibly intended as an apotropaion
Neidkopf on the market square of Waiblingen , Baden-Wuerttemberg
See also
Individual evidence
- ^ Wilhelm Pape , Max Sengebusch (arrangement): Concise dictionary of the Greek language . 3rd edition, 6th impression. Vieweg & Sohn, Braunschweig 1914 ( zeno.org [accessed on March 5, 2019]).