Boas, Franz: Primitive art (Oslo , Leipzig [u.a.], 1927)

Symbolism

101


Fig. 93. Woven ceremonial
object, Huichol Indians,
Mexico.




si! Ira

Fig. 95. Tattooing designs, Marquesans.
present time, the swastika as the symbol
of antisemitism, and the David’s star as
the Jewish symbol have very definite
political significance and are apt to excite
the most violent passions when used for
decorative purposes, — not on account
of their form, but because of the emo-
tional reaction to the ideas they represent.
Military insignia, emblems of secret societies, students’ emblems and
other regalia exert the same influence through their associations.
Owing to the strong emotional value of these patterns and the
specific character of the associations, the use of the ornament may
be restricted to special classes of objects, or reserved for privileged
classes or individuals. Thus, among ourselves, the cross, or the

Fig. 94. Design from a
pouch, Huichol Indians.