“Thing” and “Character”: The Problem of Interpreting Symbolism of Shamanic Attributes
Tomsk State University Bulletin. History. 2013. No. 6 (26)
E.V. Nam
The article presents an analysis of symbolic meaning of some shamanic attributes perhaps the most archaic in origin, establishing indivisibility of symbolic and utilitarian aspects of human activity in archaic and traditional cultures. The author concludes that the most ancient shamanic attributes are sacred symbols and archetypes of mythological consciousness, and their symbolism refers to cultural universals. They were used in the act of creation, cosmos building activities, which are also archetypal and invariably repeated in rituals.
The project "Man in a Changing World. Identity and Social Adaptation: Past and Present" is funded by the Russian Government 