The forged grave crosses

”Most remarkable are the forged grave crosses, which are plentifully represented throughout the landscape. Different forms developed in different ways, most of which lack counterparts in other parts of the country. ”

You find this written on the Vänersborg Museum’s website, under the heading ”Folk Art in Dalsland”.

The forged grave cross has a symbolic language. Is this the Christian Trinity, or is it at the same time the three Asagods Oden, Tor and Freja with the worship of fertility?

We made a day trip. We were interested in the giant pots at Stenebyälven, which we wrote about some days ago. Pagan moods arose among the dramatic natural formations in the mountain. As is often the case when there are pagan remnants, the church is not far away.

”Tree of life” they are also called, these forged grave crosses.

We talked a little about this that the pagan places of cult seem to have been taken over by the church when the country was christened. This is a chapter by itself, where we recently encountered the concept of ”Aryan Christians,” who, during the Viking era, apparently admitted both the Asagods and the Christian Trinity. We said ”awesome” and walked into the cemetery.

Cool with imagination and design in the resting place of the dead
Is this even a cross? What symbols do you see here?

It was nice getting out into the sun from the dark mountain crevices and it was an experience to take a walk around the churchyard at Steneby church. Like many other cemeteries in Dalsland, this is an exhibition of Dalsland folk art. The forged iron crosses adorn many of the tombs. Most are probably old, but some are of more recent date. Watching them, we got many thoughts about the combination of the Christian and the Pagan.

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