Professional paper
Saints-protectors from snake bites in the Croatian ethnomedical tradition
Ante Škrobonja
Amir Muzur
Abstract
Aim. To register the saints in the Croatian Christian tradition to which protective powers from snake bite are ascribed, and explain their interrelations or symbolic meanings.
Methods. The analysis of literature treating saints' hagiographies, sacral iconography and liturgy. Field work (visiting sacral objects and ethnographic museums, interviews with folk-tradition connoisseurs).
Results. Seven saints, as a specificum sui generis, have been chosen from the rich Croatian sacralethnographic heritage, for which the folk traditionally believes to have protective power from poisonous
snake bites: the Apostles Peter and Paul, John the Baptist, George, Hilarius, Hubertus, and Gaudentius.
Besides short hagiographic data, explanations have been provided on the relations between the saints and the snakes.
Conclusion. The presented examples demonstrate how interdisciplinary approach to sacral art and tradition can result in a new knowledge surpassing religious messages and entering the field of medical history in its broadest sense.
Keywords
Croatia; ethnomedicine; religion; snakes
Hrčak ID:
12265
URI
Publication date:
18.9.2006.
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