Re: horsing around- The Manger | Forum

Uffington White Horse 29

Image by Jane

horsing around

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jacksprat Jun 23, 2006 09:08:54

Replying to Creyr

When I was younger I was convinced it was a cat ... I suppose cats don't pull chariots though... ;o)

I wouldn't of thought they need to be in the air to see it, they'd be able to admire it from the ridgeway or other points from afar? The 'feeling' aspect is a really interesting point though, maybe it was there to enhance their spiritual experience of the area. Were horses revered at all in those times?

moss Jun 23, 2006 09:59:55

Replying to jacksprat

Were horses revered at all in those times?

In iron age Britain the horse often represented a goddess, the Gaulish Epona, and both Rhiannon(not the present day one!) and Macha have horses in their legends. Celtic religion is a place to go to in the mind, so animals, natural places, and gods/goddesses amalgamate together; its so in their artwork when the curvilinear pattern design remind you of animals and people.....

tuesday Jun 23, 2006 12:20:09

Replying to jacksprat

hey jack

there are not many places you can really see it from clearly - even less in forested times and it is generally 'distorted' by the low angle of view. if they had wanted to make it more visible, it could have been carved further down the hill where the surface approaches the vertical (although that would be harder to do admittedly)....

wideford Jun 23, 2006 12:39:38

Replying to jacksprat

I know goats pulled Freyr's chariot and IIRC cats fulfilled the same (or similar) function for Freyja