Geertz's Definition of Religion in Relation to Effigy

Geertz's definition of Religion, as a reminder, "A system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic."

The system of symbols in this case is elaborate, huge- tall and long-, and extensive. The effigy mounds "on a more spiritual level, the rituals that attended the construction of the mounds joined the concepts of birth, death, and the symbolic renewal of the world" (Birmingham). The basic symbols of the mounds can be divided into three separate categories, the upperworld and the lowerworld, which can again be separated into two categories: Earth and Water. Each branch has in turn different symbolic representations of that "division of the universe" (Birmingham).

The upperworld is represented by mainly bird shapes, which also are usually at the highest levels of mound elevation. The height of the mounds decrease as the divisions increase, the lowerworld of earth's main shape is the bear, however, there are other animals that reperesnt this level. There is also the beaver, buffalo, canine, deer, and turtle. This section is mostly represented by animals with antlers or canine teeth. The water part of the lowerworld is made up of panther like creatures that are symbolic representations of the water spirits. This level is the lowest in elevation and is usuall located nearer to water.

In relation to Geertz's definition of religion, the individuals who build the effigy mounds could have their meticulous mounds considered as a religion. There is a system of symbols, as expressed by the elaborate seperation of the upper and lower worlds. This definetly forms powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods, as these mounds are often the careful locations that the native americans buried their dead with great ceremony and specific traditions. The order of exsistance again comes from the seperation of the worlds, from the benevolent bird figures to the malevolent water spirits. The specifics of the ceremonies indicates mood and motivation. To them during their time period, this was an incredibly realistic tradition and way of life, to us in the modern times, this was an incredibly unique tradtion and way of life.


Work Cited-
Birmingham, Robert A., and Leslie E. Eisenberg. Indian Mounds of Wisconsin. Madison: The University of Wisconsin Press, 2000.