Also not concealed are the "shi-shi dogs" of Japan that are kept at the
doorsteps of homes.  They're actually lions, rampant; one lion has an open
mouth and the other's mouth is closed.  The theory is that bad spirits will
enter the open mouth and be unable to escape because of the closed mouth.

And don't forget the tradition of African-American yard art, especially in
the Southeast.  While it's commonly an aesthetic tradition (the topiaries,
for example), there are many obviously "spiritual" traditional pieces as
well (and yes, I can provide cites so please don't jump all over me this
time).  A few houses down from a field school dig site in Easton, MD, was a
perfect example.  There was a birdbath with the bowl turned upside down on
its stand, arches with prayers hanging from them; white poles at each
entrance to the yard and home; guardian figures (in this case Catholic saint
statuary and Halloween scarecrows) crammed along every window, etc.  The
yard was devoid of grass, just carefully raked dirt in the western African
village tradition.  Again, it was for years ago so I can't remember
everything in the yard, but I do remember it was very, very full of
guardians.  Elsewhere you'll commonly find bottle trees and large hanging
pieces of white sheeting.


On 8/30/06, Ron May <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
>
> In a message dated 8/30/2006 5:44:57 A.M. Pacific Daylight Time,
> [log in to unmask] writes:
>
> While  not concealed, many european cathedrals have carvings that are
> designed to ensnare or block the entrance of the "wicked". It has
> been years, but if I remember correctly, Regensburg has a carving of
> the "Devil's grandmother" in the entranceway. The idea being that  the
> carving would prevent Satan and his minions from entering  the
> building. Other cathedrals have similar carvings.
>
> James  Brothers, RPA
> [log in to unmask]
>
>
>
> Would that explain the gargoyles that sit inside the churches? I have a
> friend who bought a replica as a souvenier and it is absolutely hideous.
> The
> iconography of churches would be a fascinating topic, especially for the
> early
> ones in England and Europe.
>
> Ron May
> Legacy 106, Inc.
>