8.
Cultural Similarities in Art
When you compare the art of different cultures around the world, does something seem oddly
similar about them?
From stars and moons to themes like death and rebirth, some symbols seem to find their
way into the everyday life of cultures all around the world.
Even though you might not think of architecture as art, similar pyramid structures found in
Indonesia, Mexico and Egypt show that even though they may be worlds apart, distant cultures
used similar buildings to house their leaders and honor their dead.
The stepped pyramid used multiple platforms and had a massive staircase as its main feature.
In Egypt, these were the first pyramids built by the pharaohs, later replaced by the smooth-sided
structures at Giza, which became the most infamous ancient structures of the country.
But why were the stepped pyramids so similar to those found in other countries who seemingly
had no connection to Ancient Egypt?
Another similar stepped pyramid is El Castillo at Chichen Itza in Mexico.
Built between the 8th and 12th centuries as a temple to the deity Kukulcan, El Castillo
looks almost identical to the stepped pyramids in Egypt.
And when you compare them to the stone pyramids found in Indonesia, it’s easy to see how
different cultures shared a lot of the same architectural inspiration as a way to stay
in touch with the spirit of their ancestors.
Cultural similarities aren’t just found in the way structures are built though.
Paintings of the Egyptian goddess Isis, are strikingly similar to the statue of a mythological
being in Ecuador.
The sculptures of the feathered serpent at Chichen Itza look an awful lot like the dragon
sculptures found in Bali.
Even though these cultures are located in completely different parts of the world and
their beliefs are not the same, looking at their art and architecture, you can see how
recognizable symbols and designs can connect us all as humans.
7.
Sheela na Gig
A strange type of medieval carving meant to protect people from evil has been adopted
by feminists who want to remind the world about the struggles women have faced.
Known as Shelia Na Gig, the carvings would probably have been quite shocking in medieval
times.
They show a naked woman squatting and pulling open her enlarged labia.
Yikes.
Even more shocking is the fact that the carvings were often found on churches, castles and
gate posts throughout Ireland and the UK.
Dating back to the 11th century, the figures were considered grotesque and a way to warn
the public about the sins of lust.
But others think they could be more of a fertility symbol, and a powerful one at that.
Given the fact that in the not so distant past, thousands of unmarried mothers and their
children were horrifically abused at group homes in Ireland by the state and the Catholic
church, it’s no wonder modern feminists want to take back the power of Shelia na Gig.
Hoping to bring a more positive, empowering tone to the symbol, Project Sheila is a street
art movement that tasked creators with crafting clay representations of the Sheela with gold-lustered
labia and colorfully glazed vulvas.
The sculptures were then placed on buildings and at sites where women experienced oppression.
Using this shocking symbol as a way to take their power back is a modern way of bringing
the past into the light and showing how modern women are unapologetically sexual beings.
6.
Hercules and Diomedes
In Palazzo Vecchio, a palace built in 1299 in Italy, one of the most stunning displays
of art is found in the Hall of the Five Hundred.
The largest room in the palace, it features a dazzling display of murals by Leonardo da
Vinci and Michelangelo.
Among the stunning gold-framed artworks, there is a series of statues that depict The Labors
of Hercules, with one that continues to turn heads.
In it, Hercules, the embodiment of Greek freedom and heroism, is wrestling with Diomedes, who
was considered a tyrant for feeding the poor to his flame-spitting horses.
But the most eye-catching thing about the statue?
Both figures are stark naked with Hercules holding Diomedes upside down and Diomedes
tightly gripping Hercules’ penis.
Depicting one of the 12 Labours of Hercules, who had to undertake the trials to atone for
killing his wife and children, the statue is one that you won’t soon forget.
But even if it looks like Hercules is in a compromising position, he does, in fact, toss
Diomedes to his own flesh-eating horses, thus completing the trial and coming out the victor.
The depiction isn’t the only one to show off risqué art.
In many Greek artworks, depictions of homosexuality are prevalent.
The Peithinos Cup found in 525-475 BCE shows a scene of both heterosexual and homosexual
courtship on the exterior with two men intertwined in a compromising position, which was a common
theme found in ancient Greek art.
Even though you might find it odd, the artistic appearance of the phallus in ancient art symbolized
good luck, health and sexuality.
Have you ever seen any of these statues in person?
What did you think about them?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments down below and if you’re liking this video,
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:)
5.
The Pompeii Phalluses
When researchers began excavating the ancient Roman city of Pompeii, they were looking for
the remains of those buried by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
But, they found something else that they weren’t really expecting - a large number of preserved
artworks of the penis!
But why were there so many phallic symbols in the ancient city?
Found on walls, on stone streets and even above doorways, the phallic symbols are believed
by some to be for those looking for one of Pompeii’s brothels.
Apparently one only had to follow the direction the symbols were pointing to find their own
‘happy ending’.
But others are sceptical about that explanation, believing they were instead a symbol of fertility.
Similar to the Shelia Na Gig sculptures in Ireland, perhaps these were a way for the
local culture to get rid of the stigma of sexuality and nudity.
But the racy sculptures aren’t limited to ancient Pompeii.
A recent discovery of a mosaic in a Roman bathroom shows an image of Narcissus quite
enchanted by the size of his member.
Given the fact that Narcissus famously fell in love with his own reflection, which he
stared at until he died, it’s possible that being in love with his prowess was his ultimate
downfall.
4.
Fountain of Neptune
The Fountain of Neptune in Bologna is just one of a number of fountains that depict women
holding their breasts.
Created in 1567 by Italian artist Tomasso Laureti, it’s located in the Piazza Nettuno,
the main square of the city’s historical center.
Designed in the Mannerist style, which became famous for its depictions of distorted human
forms and exaggerated poses, the statue features a lactating Nereid, who was a sea nymph and
the daughter of one of the many gods who lived in the depths of the sea.
Considered symbols of protection, regeneration and fertility, the Nymphs were often depicted
with large breasts.
The design was done by Giovanni da Bologna, who was well-known for his work in both marble
and bronze and was influenced by the work of Michelangelo.
As you can see in his statues, Bologna certainly had a flair for the dramatic.
Some may find his work funny or crass, but they are considered a powerful symbol of female
strength.
3.
Fountain of Fertility, Villa d’Este, Tivoli
Another fountain similar to the Fountain of Neptune is also found near Rome.
Located at the Villa d’Este, the Fountain of Fertility features a classical Roman statue
of Diana of Ephesus depicted with multiple breasts.
Created in 1568, the statue shows the mother goddess Artemis with multiple smooth, oval-shaped
bumps on her midriff.
But there are some different interpretations of the fountain.
Some scholars believe the bumps are her breasts, which would be natural, given her symbolic
position as one of fertility.
But others believe the jets of water spurt from the testicles of bulls sacrificed to
her.
In classic mythology, she is considered the virgin huntress and protector of young girls.
An ancient Greek city located in modern-day Turkey, Ephesus is also home to the Temple
of Artemis, built to honor her.
Just one of many stunning fountains, it is found within the palace gardens, which is
considered one of the most remarkable displays of Renaissance culture.
Go for the slightly risqué statues, stay for the ornamental basins, refined culture
and beautiful 16th-century gardens the next time you are in Tivoli.
2.
Priapus, the fertility god of Pompeii
While most depictions in ancient art of phalluses are originally believed to be about fertility,
one fresco found in Pompeii is believed to show a painful disease that was apparently
widespread during ancient times.
The 2000-year-old fresco of Priapus, the Greek god of fertility, is shown with a large and
constantly erect penis.
Found in the ancient ruins at the end of the 19th century by archaeologists working on
a large villa, the fresco portrays the god with a disproportionately large “member”
that had a shut or closed foreskin that was supposed to be incredibly painful to the unlucky
sufferer.
But why did the artists decide to portray the Greek god of fertility in this way?
Some experts believe it was done to protect others from suffering the same disease.
While it might seem vulgar to depict a god this way, some believe it was the artists’
way of warding off evil.
Either way, the stark depiction of Priapus probably garners more double-takes than the
poor god would have liked.
1.
Min Another god of fertility, the Egyptian Min
was also the god of Power and the Eastern Desert.
Worshiped from predynastic times, he was always shown in art with an erect penis.
Various reliefs and paintings found on tomb walls and in temples showed him with his hand
encircling the base of his penis, too.
Early images of Min are the oldest examples of large scale statuary found in Egypt to
date, which might be why he was so worshipped.
It seems that many themes of sexuality and fertility are all associated with the god.
An aphrodisiac known as Cos lettuce is also attributed to Min, because it was tall, straight
and secreted a milk substance when pressed.
It was also said to help the god “perform the sexual act untiringly.”
A fetish, or object believed to have magical powers, to Min was in the shape of a barbed
arrow or a thunderbolt, both equally phallic.
A cult to the god was started in the 4th millennium BCE, with great festivals and processions
held in his honor at both Coptos, modern-day Quft which was a major religious and trade
center in Upper Egypt, and Panopolis, the modern Egyptian city of Akhmim.
When it came time to harvest the crops, a statue of Min was carried through the fields.
Known as “The Departure of Min '', it was believed the god blessed the harvest.
At the festival, the men took part in a display of machismo, each trying to climb a pole that
symbolizes fertility.
Usually depicted with an erect and uncovered penis, he usually holds his penis in his left
hand.
Normally, the seemingly-shocking gesture is only apparent in statues because of the perspective
used in two-dimensional Egyptian art, but for those with an attention for detail, they
just may be able to make out the gesture.
Thanks for watching!
Which one of these cultural coincidences fascinated you the most?
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