NUMERIC SYMBOLS IN SHAMANIC COSMOLOGY AND IN COMMUNICATION BETWEEN THE WORLDS (the case of Siberia)
Drawing on ethnographic research on the peoples of Siberia, the paper deals with symbolism which is based on the opposition of odd and even numbers. The research is carried out within semiotic methodology that allows identifying dual structures as a basis for a particular view of the world. The domi...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Kemerovo State University
2016-04-01
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| Series: | Вестник Кемеровского государственного университета |
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| Online Access: | https://vestnik.kemsu.ru/jour/article/view/1082 |
| Summary: | Drawing on ethnographic research on the peoples of Siberia, the paper deals with symbolism which is based on the opposition of odd and even numbers. The research is carried out within semiotic methodology that allows identifying dual structures as a basis for a particular view of the world. The dominance of odd numbers in understanding the universe in shamanic practices allows us to speak of the predominantly favourable attitude towards them in contrast to even (unfavourable) numbers. The symbolism of the numbers 7 and 9 can be seen as ‘building blocks’ of the universe which characterize the development of the latter and define its structural specificity. These numbers were used for encoding information which included characteristics of dwellers of different worlds, as well as for forming a certain ‘sacred’ geography encompassing shamanic paths, river beds, dwellings with many doors, etc. Apart from that, numbers (along with the dichotomy of even and odd numbers) can be considered as a language of spirits by means of which information is transmitted to the human world and thus as an important way of communication between the worlds. |
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| ISSN: | 2078-8975 2078-8983 |