Богини и свещени растения в гробницата от Свещари
Goddesses and Sacred Plants from the Thracian Tomb at Sveshtari

Summary/Abstract: This article analyzes and interprets plant elements in the decoration of the tomb. Floral decoration was used to ornament many Thracian tombs. in the Sveshtari tomb, however, it can be placed in a wider context than in other tombs, which provides the possibility for a more concrete interpretation of an element frequently found in Thracian burial structures, as well as in Thracian art as a whole. Plant ornamentation is connected with female deities. They are interpreted in the context of mystery cult concerning immortality among the Thracians – the feast in the? Beyond. This article argues for a hypothesis about the psychoactive qualities of the plants used and represented – poppy, henbane, lotos, etc. It is suggested that the reason for the uniqueness of nearly every Thracian tomb lies in the creation of a personal afterworld corresponding to that which was seen and recognized during the mystery rites in which psychoactive plants were used.

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