Symbol Dictionary V
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Vagina Dentata: Translated as the “toothed vagina,” this phenomena occurs in Native American stories in which young women (sometimes the daughter of a creater) with vagina dentata go to the trickster coyote for help in making her reproductively safe. Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002), explains, the vagina dentata “symbolizes the dangerous side of female sexuality and procreation.” The Vaginae Dentatae is also found on the Peruvian Chavin deities, particularly the Staff Goddess. |
Vajra: Sanskrit for “jewel,” “phallus,” or “lightning” referring to male sexual power. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983) explains, the vajra is the “male spirit enclosed in the female, graphically represented by the lingam-yoni.” It is similar to Vajarsana or “diamond seat,” referring to the clitoris.
Vampire: Evolving from the basic belief in the necessity of blood for life, it was commonly believed that feeding blood to dead spirits could turn them into the “un-dead” or vampires. Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, “The primal notion that all life depends on the magic of menstrual blood—or ‘the blood of Moon,’ as some primitives say—evolved a corresponding notion that the dead crave blood in order to make themselves live again.” The moon was connected to vampires as their provider of vital life force (Walker, 1983). The Greeks believed that the dead could be called from the underworld with offerings of blood. Necromancy was centered around this notion and the superstitions of the Middle Ages perpetuated fear of vampires.
Veil: Veils have been used by societies around the world to “conceal the divine, powerful or dangerous from mortal sight,” according to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002). Lifting Isis’s veil revealed her powerful mysteries; when he enterd the Tent of the Presence, Moses veiled his face; Roman, Chinese, and Christian brides have been veiled (red for the former, white for the latter) until they are officially married (to represent modesty and virginity); Christian nuns since medieval times wear a head-dress or veil to signify they are brides of God.
Venus: See Goddess and Planets.
Vida: Similar to the Hindu Vedas, the Vida is the Norse term for the sacred poetry of religious tales, according to Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983).
Virgin Birth: Priestesses of ancient goddesses including Ishtar, Asherah, Aphrodite, and Vesta were called “Holy Virgins.” Virginity was a term for an unmarried woman, not a sexually abstinent or inexperienced woman and in fact, these “Holy Virgin” priestesses were often also temple-harlots, who had “virgin-born” children (called parthenioi by the Greeks). Barbara Walker, in her book, The Woman’s Encyclopedia Of Myths And Secrets (1983), explains, “The function of such ‘holy virgins’ was to dispense the Mother’s grace through sexual worship; to heal; to prophesy; to perform sacred dances; to wail for the dead; and to become Brides of God.” Mother Mary was originally described in the Hebrew Gospels as almah, “young woman,” which was mistakenly translated as “virgin.” All early saviors were born of “virginal” temple-harlots. See Gods/Savior
Gods.
Virgo: See Goddess and Zodiac
Signs.
Vulture: See Birds.
Vulva: An obvious symbol of fertility “the vulva is usually associated with Mother Goddesses,” according to Rowena and Rupert Shepherd in their book 1000 Symbols: What Shapes Mean In Art And Myth (2002). Hindus honor the yoni as the goddess’s womb and Shiva’s spouse, who is symbolized by the lingam. Drawings of pagan fertility icons, known as Sheela na gig, of a voluptuous woman holding open prominent vulva, were found on cave walls in Ireland. See Yoni.