Sheela-na-Gigs of Ireland and Britain: An Illustrated Guide to the Sheela-na-Gigs of Britain and Ireland

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Sheela-na-Gigs are carvings of female images depicted as naked and posing in a manner which accentuates the most powerfully evocative symbol of the vulva. They were erected on many churches of the medieval period and invariably in a prominent position such as over the main entrance door or a window. In Ireland where the practice continued into the later middle ages, they are found on castles and some other important structures. The sheela-na-gigs are primarily sacred religious symbols but some historians have been reluctant to treat them seriously. This book has been produced in the hope that we may once again be able to look at, accept and fully appreciate sheela-na-gigs and thereby begin to feel respect for these once esteemed aspects of our heritage. The text is written from a non-academic perspective and so aims to be accessible to the general reader. The catalogue section of the book is a very comprehensive aplphabetical listed reference to all known sheela-na-gigs in Ireland and Britain. There are over 144 figures, over a hundred in Ireland and 40 in Britain and each entry includes a description, details of the location, and a drawing.