There are no exclusive symbols representing animism. A common feature is the spirit house which can be made of various materials and in various styles and is common in mainland SE Asia. Another feature is the sacrificial animal pillar which is a characteristic of Indonesian animists.
Animists revere natural phenomena such as trees as they believe that powerful spirits exist in them. The symbolic meaning of animals and other creatures such as birds, insects and reptiles, are of great significance as they are believed to possess supernatural powers that can embody, attach and influence a person empowering them with the powerful traits, attributes and characteristics of the animal. The animals that are are regarded as spiritual guides appear in dreams. The chart below describes the meanings of a few animistic symbols.
Animists revere natural phenomena such as trees as they believe that powerful spirits exist in them. The symbolic meaning of animals and other creatures such as birds, insects and reptiles, are of great significance as they are believed to possess supernatural powers that can embody, attach and influence a person empowering them with the powerful traits, attributes and characteristics of the animal. The animals that are are regarded as spiritual guides appear in dreams. The chart below describes the meanings of a few animistic symbols.
Ritual activities were also symbolic and could include sacrificial offerings, prayers and deeds. Sacrifice was the offering of food, objects or the lives of animals or people to the gods as an act of propitiation or worship. Sacrifice might be part of a ritual to appease a god or gods or change the course of nature. Some sacrificial offerings were made in anticipation of the achievement of a particular wish, others as a thank-you offering for favours received.
A well known symbolic sacrifice was the Sacrifice to Mithras who was a god in ancient Iranian times and in later Roman times. He was a god of the sun, justice and war. Devotees were exclusively men and they would sacrifice a bull to the god Mithras. These ceremonies would take place in caves or caverns that would be full of other symbolism such as passing through seven gates and then climbing a ladder with seven steps. The number seven represented the other lessor gods and deities. These caverns were fill with colourful frescos often depicted the sacrifice of the bull.
A well known symbolic sacrifice was the Sacrifice to Mithras who was a god in ancient Iranian times and in later Roman times. He was a god of the sun, justice and war. Devotees were exclusively men and they would sacrifice a bull to the god Mithras. These ceremonies would take place in caves or caverns that would be full of other symbolism such as passing through seven gates and then climbing a ladder with seven steps. The number seven represented the other lessor gods and deities. These caverns were fill with colourful frescos often depicted the sacrifice of the bull.
Anything of value could be a sacrifice. Sacrifice could be bloodless as in cereal, food or artifacts or libation - a liquid offering. Generally, the more valuable the offering, the more highly the sacrifice was regarded but the more difficult to make. The most valuable sacrifices have been that of lives, animal or human.
Archaeologists have found human and animal corpses with sacrificial marks long before any written records of the practice. Human sacrifice was usually reserved for the most important events—dedication of an important monument or building, the death of an important personage, or in times of natural disaster. |
Animistic Symbols and their meaning: (to view more of these go to the following website-
http://www.whats-your-sign.com/animals-in-dreams.html
Denkyem - the 'crocodile'.
Symbol represents adaptability.
"The crocodile lives in the water and yet he breathes air, an example of the adaptation to two different environments.
Symbol represents adaptability.
"The crocodile lives in the water and yet he breathes air, an example of the adaptation to two different environments.
Nyame Nwu Na Mawu - 'If God dies, so shall I.
Symbol represents the immortality of the human soul.
The proverb is interpreted as "as God never dies, so my soul never dies" after death the soul becomes one with God.
Symbol represents the immortality of the human soul.
The proverb is interpreted as "as God never dies, so my soul never dies" after death the soul becomes one with God.
Bin Nka Bi - 'Bite not one another'.
Symbol represents harmony and peace.
The related proverb warns against provoking others into retaliation. If you don't harm someone, they will have no reason to harm you".
Symbol represents harmony and peace.
The related proverb warns against provoking others into retaliation. If you don't harm someone, they will have no reason to harm you".
Akoma Ntoaso - 'Linked hearts'.
Symbol represents agreement and understanding
There is a link to more information here:
http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-culture/animism.htm
Symbol represents agreement and understanding
There is a link to more information here:
http://www.warpaths2peacepipes.com/native-american-culture/animism.htm