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Product Description
Product Description
Sheela-na-gigs are carvings of female images depicted as naked and posing in a manner which accentuates the most powerfully evocative symbol of the vulva. They were erected on many churches of the medieval period and were almost invariably placed in a very prominent position such as over the main entrance door or a window. In Ireland, where the practice continued into the later middle ages, they are found on castles and some other important structures. The sheela-na-gigs are primarily sacred religious symbols but some historians have been reluctant to treat them seriously. They are generally referred to as protective talismans or good luck symbols, and more recently the suggestion that they were put on the churches as warnings against sin and lust has found favour. But tradition does not support this view and all references to them indicate that they were highly regarded, revered images that evidently held an exalted position within the religious iconography of the earlier church. This book has been produced in the hope that we may once again be able to look at, accept and fully appreciate sheela-na-gigs and thereby begin to feel respect for these once highly esteemed aspects of our heritage.The Sheela-na-Gigs of Ireland and Britain is written from a non-academic perspective and so aims to be accessible to the general reader. The catalogue section of the book is a very comprehensive alphabetically listed reference to all known sheela-na-gigs in Ireland and Britain. There are approximately 144 such figures: over a hundred in Ireland and forty in Britain. Each entry includes a description, details of the location, and a drawing.
About the Author
Jack Roberts was born in Sussex, England, in 1948 and has lived in Ireland since 1974. After becoming involved with astro-archaeological research in the Boyne Valley between 1978 and 1982, he began field research in the west Cork region. He has published a number of guides to the area and has been researching the sheela-na-gigs since 1995.Joanne McMahon was born in Adelaide, Australia, in 1973. She began research into sheela-na-gigs in Bath, England, in 19945 and was UK researcher for The Sheela-na-Gigs of Britain & Ireland (1995).
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
This book is an excellent addition to research on the subject. It puts forward some interesting theories on the origin of sheelas and includes line drawings for most of the figures.
It suffers from some bad editing in places which marrs an otherwise interesting and informative read but it's not annoying enough not to give the book five stars. I have no hesitation in recommending the book to anyone interested these figures. For anyone wanting to see the figures for themselves it's essential reading.
It suffers from some bad editing in places which marrs an otherwise interesting and informative read but it's not annoying enough not to give the book five stars. I have no hesitation in recommending the book to anyone interested these figures. For anyone wanting to see the figures for themselves it's essential reading.
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have read this book and been to ireland to find some. In cork at the museum they have some sheelas(not on public view we had to ask and were led to a corridor). Read this book and then go hunting for yourself!
8 of 13 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
I have had a fascination with Sheela Na Gigs for a long time, but to be honest my knowledge on her was scant. This book puts forwards some very interesting ideas as to the origins of the Sheelas & her name, and her possible basis in the hag aspect.
The end of the book has a catalogue of Sheelas in England, Ireland, Wales & Scotland, and each entry has sketches of them. With this book in hand I have been to see two of them, one in Oxford & another in Fiddington. There is a Sheela about 20 minutes from my house and that will be my next visit!
This pictorial catalogue is extremely useful in that it allows you to see the particular Sheela referred to in the main body of the text, thus enabling you to make up your own mind as to whether it supports the claims or not.
I must say it's a great shame I'm the first person to write a review of this book, I just wish there were as many people interested in Sheelas & their origins as Green Men, because to be honest Sheela is far more interesting!
The end of the book has a catalogue of Sheelas in England, Ireland, Wales & Scotland, and each entry has sketches of them. With this book in hand I have been to see two of them, one in Oxford & another in Fiddington. There is a Sheela about 20 minutes from my house and that will be my next visit!
This pictorial catalogue is extremely useful in that it allows you to see the particular Sheela referred to in the main body of the text, thus enabling you to make up your own mind as to whether it supports the claims or not.
I must say it's a great shame I'm the first person to write a review of this book, I just wish there were as many people interested in Sheelas & their origins as Green Men, because to be honest Sheela is far more interesting!
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