Bull Decorations in Different Cultures
In many architectural units, some pictorial representations and sculptures depict rituals, social activities, and markings of status. Archaeologists often disagree, more than anything, on the meaning of curving and engravings on archaeological units. Some argue that these symbols are not relevant in the study of the evolution of man. In contrast, others say that although important, studying these symbols is a waste of time in trying to understand the thinking process of the early man. However, in recent years, more studies on these symbols have revealed their relationship to power and prestige.
A reemerging theme is that of animals in various forms, and in the case of Gobeklitepe, there are engravings of snakes, goat-like animals, bulls, and insects. The theme of the bull has persisted for centuries, especially in sites considered religious grounds. Therefore, many speculations arise from its possible religious significance. On Pillar T number 31, a Taurine head is engraved. The bull symbols are found in the religious decoration of Egyptians. The bulls were used to represent gods. God Hathor was portrayed as a cow, while god Apis was described as a bull. Between the horns of the bull, was the imagery of the sun, which was referred to as the golden crown.
In the esoteric hermetic tradition and the Indian religion, the bull is found in the horoscope as one of the twelve signs of the zodiac, which were implemented to present the twelve months of the year. Just like the other animals found in the zodiac, it is used as a symbolism for certain traits found in humans. Moreover, it depicts not only power but also knowledge in both the productivity of land and the mind. In Chinese culture, it is one of the animals used in the Chinese calendar.
In ancient Mesopotamia, similar to the Akkachia, Assyrian, and Babylonian culture, godly figures were shown with bullhorns on their heads or with headgear that had bullhorns. Apart from the holy grounds, these were also found on seals and sculptures. The more the horns, the higher the hierarchy of the god. Wall paintings of bulls can be found in Catalhoyukin, which is in Anatolia. Bull sculptures can also be found at sacred grounds of the houses within the settlement complexes. It is also found in the caverns of the Altamira and Lascoux.
In the first book of the monotheistic religion, the Bible, we can find the answer as to why gods were often depicted as bulls or were curved with bullhorns on their heads. When Moses stayed on the mountain for long, and the Israelites thought he would never come back, they told Moses’ brother, Aaron, to curve a god for them to worship. Aaron asked all the women and children to give their jewelry, and he molded a bull out of the gold. In Hebrew wordplay, bullhorns translate to shining, which is often used to refer to Jesus hence the link between bulls and gods.
The use of animals signified different human traits. The bull was and is still mainly used to symbolize fertility both in the aspect of humans and land. It also meant civilization as people began farming hence were able to fend for themselves. This is seen in horoscopes where the bull represents knowledge and power to cultivate the land. In the religious aspect, in relation to a halo, the horns of a bull signified enlightenment, illumination, and shinning.