furrow
In abstract terms, a furrow is a linear depression and a groove. In addition to its primary importance for agriculture, the furrow is important in mythology , real estate and, figuratively, also in geomorphology .
Agriculture
A furrow is a line-shaped depression in the soil of a field that is drawn with a plow . It is the boundary between the unploughed and plowed part of the field and the lane for the tractor to continue plowing. The final furrow is the boundary to the neighboring field or to a property neighbor.
Furrows for the introduction of seeds , seedlings and cuttings are usually created by special coulters of the corresponding sowing and planting devices ; these furrows are closed again with subsequent tools at the end of the work process.
The winter furrow is used to plow under plant remains and is often made in coarse clods with the aim of storing the winter moisture in the soil for the subsequent summer crops . In order to counteract soil erosion , furrows are occasionally created across the slope as rain retention channels in sloping arable land. Bald frost in winter is desirable after the winter furrow in order to achieve a soil level that is favorable for plant cultivation .
Furrow as a limitation
In European customs, the furrow is used as a mark of a boundary ( national border , property boundary). In the Roman founding myth Romulus is said to have plowed a furrow ( pomerium ) around the future city of Rome or its sacred area on the Palatine . A ditch that actually dates from the 8th century BC was found there in 1985.
In Nordic tales , the goddess Freya is said to have plowed a furrow around the island of Zealand , separating it from Sweden .
Furrow as a fertility myth
Because of the worldwide spread of earth goddesses in arable cultures, the furrow is mythologically on all continents as a symbol for fertility or directly for the vagina :
- In Indian mythology , Sita is Rama's wife , who was born in a furrow.
- In an Etruscan hero myth, the hero was "born out of a rut" during the day .
- In Egyptian mythology , the Maat - an earth goddess - is often the language of the furrow .
- Even in the Roman religion a ceremony happens in Jupiter in the groove of Juno by Feuerstein studied.
Furrow in geography
In geomorphology, a ridge is a valley with several river valleys. Examples are the Mur-Mürz-Furche (Austria) or the Neretva - Bosna- Furche (Bosnia and Herzegovina).
