|
Thanguwa.com | Symbols
|
Symbols and their meaning in Aboriginal Art
|
I often get asked the meaning of some of the symbols depicted in my own artwork,
as well as artwork in general. Following are some of the main symbols and
their meanings, as detailed on Deadly Art
Online. More information about Aboriginal symbols and iconography can be
found on
AusEmade Aboriginal Tourism site...
|
In its basic depiction, the individual, family and community unit is easily
identified. Changes to this develop from region to region and within the same
region. The same artist can depict the man as a single stroke, or the 'u' shape.
The identification of the symbol can rely on the name of the painting, the story
within the painting, and even just on the style that the Aboriginal artist has
decided to paint with.
How a single symbol is treated within a painting can provide further detail to
the viewer, such is the case where the male adult symbol is surrounded by dots.
Of course, if all symbols and landscape objects are enclosed by same coloured
single dot pattern, it could just be the style that the artist has decided to
use. |
man in process of initiation |
man |
woman |
child |
family |
community |
tribes |
adult or man or woman |
man |
child or child in initiation |
|
|
Many artworks depict tools, weapons and other utensils used for a variety of
activities from digging for witchetty grubs, honey ants and plant tubers to
hunting of animals. |
boomerang |
hunting boomerang |
return boomerang |
boomerangs |
digging sticks |
nulla nulla or club |
spear |
spears |
woomera |
woomera |
|
|
|
|
Symbols are also used to depict locations. Some symbols are used in conjunction
with others to depict human activities. |
campfire or waterhole |
campfire |
women teaching children
- the passing down of knowledge. |
|
|
Foot prints and other symbols are used to depict wildlife, as well as
representing their tracks left in the sand. Some artists depict the wildlife in
outline form and 3 dimensional representation, whilst other artist use a
particular pattern to portray the wildlife. There are paintings that appear to
be pure abstract, with just lines and dots, representing an animal, with the
only clue for the non initiated, is the title of the painting. |
tracks |
kangaroo tracks |
kangaroo tracks |
kangaroo tracks |
kangaroo tracks |
kangaroo tracks |
emu tracks |
emu track |
emu dreaming |
goanna tracks |
goanna burrows often have multiple entrance |
goanna hole in spinifex country |
|
|
© Deadly Art Online / AusEmade Pty Ltd |
