Rock Art Wights
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Here are some more
rock art beings which seem involved in ritual activities. The first appears to have many characteristics in common with Tor. He is driving a chariot; is the squiggle in front of the figure a lightning bolt? Does one hand of the charioteer hold a hammer? Is that a horned beast (goat) drawing the chariot? The "Hede Shaman" is a mysterious picture with some elements, such as the large round head and the circles, in common with many other Shamanic cultures' rock art. Is the large head meant to represent the 'aura' of might of this being? Perhaps this is a shaman in an ecstatic trance. The Ploughman is another very popular rock art motif. It occurs for thousands of years. We can suppose this symbol has something to do with planting and agricultural fertility. The horseman symbol has widespread occurrence. Is this being brandishing weapons or 'holy objects'? Is this a hammer-wielding warrior, or a Shaman travelling through the worlds on a spirit horse? The horse was a cultic animal of both Frej (Freyr) and Oden (Odin). The man with a giant spear is a striking image. Could this spear, its might show by its size, be an early representation of Gungnir, Odin's spear? Were especially holy spears important to Bronze age Heathen rites? If you would like to see a large collection of Swedish rock art photos visit Vitlycke Museum. |
