ABORIGINAL SYMBOLS Aboriginal Symbols Aboriginal Art used symbols

ABORIGINAL SYMBOLS

Aboriginal Symbols Aboriginal Art used symbols to indicate a sacred site, or the location of a waterhole and shows how to get there. These symbols could be found on rock carvings, cave paintings or even a land sculptures. To understand appreciate Aboriginal symbols imagine how you would indicate, record and recall essential information or place names or events in a non material world. Since Aboriginal people travelled vast distances across their country, significant information was recorded using symbols in regular ceremony. Sand painting and body painting ceremonies kept the symbols alive and remembered. Later, these symbols were transformed into a more permanent form using acrylic on canvas but the meanings behind the symbols remains the same. Generally the symbols used by Aboriginal artists are a variation of lines, circles or dots and is hard for outsiders to understand. Similar symbols can have multiple meanings and the elaborate combination of these can tell complex Aboriginal Dreamtime Stories.

Central Art –Aboriginal Art Store (2007). CA Symbols Handout. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http: //www. aboriginalartstore. com. au

Meeting Place This painting is by artist Jabaljarri of the Jawoyn tribe and is in the 'dot' style used by the Aboriginal artist of Central Australia. The painting tells the story of people travelling to a meeting to learn about setting up their own businesses. Central Art –Aboriginal Art Store (2007). CA Symbols Handout. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http: //www. aboriginalartstore. com. au

Communities Men Central Art –Aboriginal Art Store (2007). CA Symbols Handout. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http: //www. aboriginalartstore. com. au

Message Meeting Place Central Art –Aboriginal Art Store (2007). CA Symbols Handout. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http: //www. aboriginalartstore. com. au

Travelling Women Central Art –Aboriginal Art Store (2007). CA Symbols Handout. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http: //www. aboriginalartstore. com. au

It is believed that the kangaroo and the stingray drawing is symbols for the tribe that would have been staying at this site at the given time. The drawing is a way of telling anyone else that walked through the site which tribe had been there and what their totem was. Kangaroo Jibbon Beach Bundeena Central Art –Aboriginal Art Store (2007). CA Symbols Handout. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http: //www. aboriginalartstore. com. au

Stingray at Jibbon Beach Bundeena Central Art –Aboriginal Art Store (2007). CA Symbols Handout. Retrieved April 4, 2013, from http: //www. aboriginalartstore. com. au