The Goddess is an interesting topic in mythology. I never knew how important a female god was until taking this class. Obviously I knew about the Greek Goddesses but there are many, many more in countless other cultures.
Discussing the importance of the goddess in class reminded me a a statuette from my first semester of art history. The figure was called Venus of Willendorf. 
This figurine was discovered back in 1908 in Lower Austria. It is thought to have been made around 22,000 BCE. Because of the large breasts and the detailed vulva, this figure can be recognized as a fertility symbol. Venus of Willendorf is small enough to be held in hand at about 4.3 inches. I can just see a woman holding this and prying about fertility. I also find it interesting how she doesn't have a face. It makes her sort of generic. Beauty isn't important. The large thighs and abdomen are so pronounced that it is clear that these are features that are more desired for fertility, not a lovely face.
In mythology, fertility was so important!! Fertility of the land, of the people, it was completely encompassing. Gods of fertility seem few and far between. But there are many Goddesses of fertility. No doubt this is because woman are the ones that bring life into the world. Whether that be a woman in childbirth or Mother Earth growing her plants, the female figure is what represents fertility.
No comments:
Post a Comment