Sheela na gig

For the PJ Harvey song, see Sheela-Na-Gig (song).

A 12th-century sheela na gig on the church at Kilpeck, Herefordshire, England
Sheela na gig from Ireland in the British Museum (12th century)

A sheela na gig is a figurative carving of a naked woman displaying an exaggerated vulva. These carvings, from the Middle Ages, are architectural grotesques found throughout most of Europe[1][2] on cathedrals, castles, and other buildings.

The greatest concentrations can be found in Ireland, Great Britain, France and Spain, sometimes together with male figures. Ireland has the greatest number of surviving sheela na gig carvings; Joanne McMahon and Jack Roberts cite 124 examples in Ireland[3] and 45 examples in Britain.[4] One of the best examples may be found in the Round Tower at Rattoo, in County Kerry, Ireland. There is a replica of the Round Tower sheela na gig in the County Museum in Tralee town. Another well-known example may be seen at Kilpeck in Herefordshire, England.

The carvings may have been used to ward off death, evil and demons.[1][2] Other grotesque carvings, such as gargoyles and hunky punks, were frequently part of church decorations all over Europe. It is commonly said that their purpose was to keep evil spirits away (see apotropaic magic). They often are positioned over doors or windows, presumably to protect these openings.

  1. ^ a b Andersen, Jorgen (1977). The Witch on the Wall. Rosenkilde & Bagger. ISBN 978-87-423-0182-1.
  2. ^ a b Weir, Anthony; Jerman, James (1986). Images of Lust: Sexual Carvings on Medieval Churches. London: B. T. Batsford Ltd. ISBN 0713451106.
  3. ^ Roberts, Jack (2009). The Sheela-na-gigs of Ireland, An Illustrated Map & Guide. Galway, Ireland: Bandia Publishing. ISBN 978-1-901083-26-2.
  4. ^ McMahon, Joanne; Roberts, Jack (2000). The Sheela-na-Gigs of Ireland and Britain: The Divine Hag of the Christian Celts – An Illustrated Guide. Mercier Press. ISBN 978-1-85635-294-9.