#apotropaic

[holycosmolo9y]

An Egyptian rock crystal of a chonky hinpopotamus amulet

(Middle Kingdom, ca. 2050-1650 BCE)

Amulets were worn by ancient Egyptians for their protective and regenative properties. Used in both in daily life and during funerary rites, amulets represented animals, deities, symbols or objects thought to possess the magical powers of warding off evil spirits.

As animals were popular representations, the hippopotamus was known for its apotropaic (e.g. ability to avert bad luck) qualities and was associated with rebirth.

[centuriespast]

Bronze phallic amulet Roman

1st century CE

This amulet incorporates three different symbols: the phallus, male genitalia, and the mano fica (a rude hand gesture). All three were potent apotropaic devices intended to ward off the Evil Eye.

the met

[calabria-mediterranea]

Brognaturo, Calabria, Italy

Photos by @mariograziano_bross84_photo and Comune di Brognaturo

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

[jareckiworld]

Tomiyuki Kaneko—Apotropaic Daruma (transparent watercolor, pen, foil on Shirakawa Daruma, 2021)

[dieletztepanzerhexe]

apotropaic masks, a griffin, a deer and some crosses carved on a romanesque church in Inowrocław

schematic but cute deer

[thedustycat]

In some cultures, dried ("mummified") cats were concealed inside buildings as a form of good luck or apotropaic magic.

[pentecostwaite]

Found a handful of taper burns on the third floor of the 1761 courthouse this weekend, and this one is by far the largest. They were on the window frames.

More information on apotropaic burn marks.

[satyrmagos]

Two-sided .925 sterling silver talisman with the face of Terrible Humbaba on one side, and his epithet in Sumerian cuneiform on the other. Humbaba / Humwawa is a giant monster made by Utu the sun, and set by the god Enlil to protect the cedar forests where the gods lived. "When he looks at someone, it is the look of death."[Gilgamesh and Huwawa] "Humbaba's roar is a flood, his mouth is death and his breath is fire! He can hear a hundred leagues away any [rustling?] in his forest! Who would go down into his forest!"[Epic of Gilgamesh] Some texts describe his face as leonine, others say he is more exotically monstrous. My image is based on photographs clay figurines which were carried for protection. Each piece is hand-made, cast and finished from a mold which I also made. Each piece is unique, with unique variations in texture and finish, including some small defects which are an inevitable part of the process.

[cucamonga-springs]

Virgin of Vladimir (1131)

[unexfunstuff]

[smellofwater]

Beachcombing - A Fairy Loaf

I found this lovely flint fossil echinoid on the beach between Marske and Redcar. The fossil is smooth to the touch and heavy in the hand, beautiful dense flint with an unmistakable five pointed star on its upper surface, it’s a first for me. Fossil echinoids are not uncommon finds in areas with chalk bedrock but this is the first example that I have found on our beaches. Fossil echinoids have…

[big-edies-sun-hat]

Prompt: “faerie.” Carving of a sheela-na-gig. This little gremlin appears on many old Irish carvings but seems to have come from the Continent. It is supposed to protect places from evil spirits and help childbearing women.

[calabria-mediterranea]

Seminara, Calabria, Italy

Historically, the town of Seminara has had a reputation for its fine olive oil and silk.

But Seminara has a long history of terracotta production, no doubt owing to the area’s abundance of red and white clay. Decorative pieces are finished with vibrant colors derived from natural sources. Traditionally, green, yellow and blue predominate. Characterized by original forms, bizarre faces and extremely lively colors, Seminara ceramics are imaginative, folkloristic creations full of story, hidden meaning and even magical powers.

Examples include the Giganti, dancing puppets of giant proportions that represent the union of the indigenous and Moorish peoples, and vivid local pottery steeped in popular lore.

Another important category of Seminara ceramics is that of scaramanzia or the warding off of superstition. The evil eye of your neighbor cannot be left to linger unchecked, and what better than a fantastically designed ceramic piece to combat a malicious curse or even an unwanted glare?

The maschere apotropaiche or apotropaic masks are imbued with a power to avert evil influences or bad luck. These masks were placed on the doors of houses, over windows and on balconies, wherever evil could possibly get a foothold.

Written by Karen Haid

Photos by @dmncdl, hotcore.info and Calabria: The Other Italy

Follow us on Instagram, @calabria_mediterranea

[nineeyedartist]

Libertà 2024 Digital

An intersex gorgon lifts her skirt in an apotropaic gesture while biting the heads of two phallic snakes. This piece is based on ancient artworks of gorgons grasping or biting snakes; our experiences in trance states; and apotropaic gestures associated with feminine power.

[ukdamo]

Today’s Flickr photo with the most hits: this monumental lion, at the Temple of Apollo, Didyma, Turkey. 

[benjhawkins]

Some apotropaic marks on the cellar door of the 1667 Daniels House in Salem, MA. Some of the marks include concentric circles, and two interlocking Vs, typically called Marian marks, probably invoking the protection of Virgin Mary, Virgin of Virgins.