Description
Sheela na Gig are medieval carvings of naked, often older women, displaying their vulva. There are hundreds of these little figures spread around Ireland, the highest concentration in all of Europe, and they mostly appear on churches and castles from the 11th century. Many ended up being destroyed or damaged as the centuries marched on and Christianity became more puritanical on the island.
We don’t know what Sheela na Gig originally meant to the people who carved her, but it’s possible that she is a representation of an older, now forgotten fertility goddess. I don’t think it’s a coincidence that Sheela’s Day falls on the 18th of March, so close to the spring equinox and the official end of winter. Perhaps she bears a connection to An Cailleach, an ancient hag goddess associated with winter.
Her placement above doors and windows almost gives the impression of entering a womb. I personally feel this has echoes of our Neolithic passage tombs, which also bear resemblance to wombs and vulvas. Perhaps these represent an allusion to the passage from one world to the next, the journey between life and death. It’s interesting to note that Cairn T at Loughcrew has a Spring Equinox alignment, and is also associated with An Cailleach.
Whatever the case may be, the renewed interest in Sheela na Gig is wonderful to see. These defiant, joyful figures are once again free of shame and receiving the attention and love that they deserve.
This artwork was inspired by the idea of Sheela na Gig representing a portal between our world and another, a gateway between the world of the living and the dead.
This is an 10″ × 8″ giclée print, printed on Hahnemühle William Turner paper and signed by Shelly Mooney.
