I was thinking more about the Lascaux cave and it's significance in paleolithic religion, and it started me thinking on other important caves in religions throughout the world. After a quick Google search I found this interesting article/blog thingie:
http://www.relijournal.com/Religion/Five-Holy-Caves-in-the-World.302101
I don't mean to bore by making anyone read another article, but I found it interesting in the context of our reading and discussions. Some of the caves were important because of burials, others because they were the places of special events in the religion.
While the paleolithic caves represented a connection to the spirit world, caves in other religions mean other things. Even with these different meanings, it is quite clear that the eerie quality caves lend is crucial to their significance. Even a religiously insignificant cave feels somehow special because of the way sound and light are carried. This could be why caves appear so much in early belief systems. Since the early religions were usually about being in harmony with nature, caves seem to transport you into a different world. While there are different interpretations of the meanings of caves, it is important to delve into the significance in religious history.
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That's an interesting idea, that the ambience is one of the reasons why a location is chosen. I think that it could be true with Native American effigy mounds; areas of high elevation, near water, seem like a much more appropriate place than in a low valley.
ReplyDeleteA really thoughtful post that reminds us that some places have an almost innate influence on us.. and perhaps that is why we commonly attribute religious or spiritual significance to them?
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