Seven-membered structure of the moon cycle and the “running spiral” ornament on Trypillian ceramics

Abstract

The examination of the semantics of ornaments of the Trypillian culture, in particular, the most common ornament, “running spiral”, is necessary for penetration into the spiritual world of the bearers of this culture. The purpose of the study is to show that the symbols of the “running spiral” ornament hide the seven-membered cycle of the moon. The following methodological approaches are used: a) deities are seen behind the symbols of the ornament, not things; b) the division of deities by gender is considered c) the structural method is used in the analysis of symbols. Eight- and seven-membered ornament structures that were identified as moon phases were reviewed. It was determined that the female and male deities are hidden behind the phases. It is shown that the ornament “running spiral” is a seven-membered structure, and the order of symbols (deities) coincides with structures in which there are no symbols of the “running spiral”. Individual symbols of the “running spiral” are considered, and it is determined that they denote certain phases (deities) of the moon’s cycle. It is concluded that the eight- and seven-membered structures of ornaments hide the Goddess who represented the moon. The conclusion and the methods by which it is obtained may be the key to further research of Trypillian ceramics ornaments. It opens the horizon for investigating the kinship of the Trypillian culture with other Eneolithic cultures and examining modern folk ornaments