Art Quote by Riane Eisler
““The Goddess-centered art we have been examining, with its striking absence of images of male domination or warfare, seems to have reflected a social order in which women, first as heads of clans and priestesses and later on in other important roles, played a central part, and in which both men and women worked together in equal partnership for the common good. If there was here no glorification of wrathful male deities or rulers carrying thunderbolts or arms, or of great conquerors dragging abject slaves about in chains, it is not unreasonable to infer it was because there were no counterparts for those images in real life.10 And if the central religious image 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
Source Book: The Chalice and the Blade, Riane Eisler, 1987
The quote suggests that societies with goddess-centered art reflect egalitarian values, where women hold central roles and both genders collaborate for the common good, lacking depictions of male domination or war.
In simple terms: Goddess-oriented art indicates gender equality and peaceful values.
Key Takeaway
Recognize how cultural symbols shape social structures.
Themes
gender equality
peace
religion
art
social structure
Mood
reflective
analytical
Type
philosophical
historical
When to use this quote
- historical societies
- modern feminist analysis
- art criticism
- religious studies
Key Concepts
matriarchal societies
symbolic representation
cultural anthropology
Questions to Reflect On
- How do artistic depictions influence gender roles?
- Can peace be sustained without acknowledging conflict?
A Different Perspective
May overlook conflicts and power struggles that also existed.
![“[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)
