07-23-2014, 05:23 AM
The unbelted figures are interesting, yes.
I don't know much about pagan worship and its rites when it comes to dress and symbolism - my instinct is that hunting was a much-vaunted 'military' exercise - manliness, prowess, and so on - so I suspect that being belted during the hunt would be a given. However, during the sacrifice/offering, after the hunt perhaps a certain undress is used to signify submission to the female huntress? If Diana as a female deity (known to use her anger to slay if provoked) is to be appeased then perhaps the hunters themselves must 'unman' themselves by unbelting in order to appease or win her approval.
Pure speculation but I like the symbolism here!
I don't know much about pagan worship and its rites when it comes to dress and symbolism - my instinct is that hunting was a much-vaunted 'military' exercise - manliness, prowess, and so on - so I suspect that being belted during the hunt would be a given. However, during the sacrifice/offering, after the hunt perhaps a certain undress is used to signify submission to the female huntress? If Diana as a female deity (known to use her anger to slay if provoked) is to be appeased then perhaps the hunters themselves must 'unman' themselves by unbelting in order to appease or win her approval.
Pure speculation but I like the symbolism here!
Francis Hagan
The Barcarii
The Barcarii
