Ancient Quote by Riane Eisler
![“[On the ancient Venus figurines:] If the central religious figure was a woman giving birth and not, as in our time, a man dying on a cross, it would not be unreasonable to infer that life and the love of life - rather than death and the fear of death - were dominant in society as well as art.” quote by Riane Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/9d8/riane-eisler-10808_ancient_on-the-ancient-venus-figurines-if-the-ce_3192663.jpg)
“[On the ancient Venus figurines:] If the central religious figure was a woman giving birth and not, as in our time, a man dying on a cross, it would not be unreasonable to infer that life and the love of life - rather than death and the fear of death - were dominant in society as well as art.”
About This Quote
Ancient art suggests societies may have valued life and love over death, reflecting cultural priorities.
In simple terms: Art can reveal a culture’s values about life and death.
Key Takeaway
Consider how cultural symbols shape values.
Themes
culture
art
values
Mood
analytical
thoughtful
Type
historical
philosophical
When to use this quote
- museum curation
- historical research
- education
- public policy
Key Concepts
symbolism
gender roles
anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- What does this imply about modern symbols?
- How do gendered images affect societal values?
A Different Perspective
Interpretations can be subjective and contested.
![“I think that behind the scenes the Pope [Francis] is seen as more of a religious figure, but obviously he is sort of a global political figure.” quote by Joy-Ann Reid](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/779/joy-ann-reid-17681_behind-the-scenes_i-think-that-behind-the-scenes-the-pope_341335.jpg)
