Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Symboler i Dalby

Borgehammar, Stephan LU orcid (2012) Centrum för Danmarksstudier 28. p.54-87
Abstract
Interpretations of the church, monastery and manor of Dalby have focused primarily on the history and functions of the buildings, but symbolic interpretations have been involved too. The article discusses four categories of symbolic interpretations: Power Symbols, Cosmic Symbols, Biblical Symbols and Geographical Symbols. The conclusion is that it is hard, when dealing with specific buildings, to demonstrate which symbolical meanings were intended and recognized by people living in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The line between scholarship and madness is thin. No strict method for avoiding madness exists, but it is wise to consciously avoid anachronisms, doubt one’s favourite mental images and take seriously any facts that “disturb”... (More)
Interpretations of the church, monastery and manor of Dalby have focused primarily on the history and functions of the buildings, but symbolic interpretations have been involved too. The article discusses four categories of symbolic interpretations: Power Symbols, Cosmic Symbols, Biblical Symbols and Geographical Symbols. The conclusion is that it is hard, when dealing with specific buildings, to demonstrate which symbolical meanings were intended and recognized by people living in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The line between scholarship and madness is thin. No strict method for avoiding madness exists, but it is wise to consciously avoid anachronisms, doubt one’s favourite mental images and take seriously any facts that “disturb” a seemingly plausible interpretation. Historical knowledge, constant practice and dialogue with other scholars are other preconditions. Risks remain, but the symbolic richness of Dalby makes us take them gladly. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
organization
publishing date
type
Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding
publication status
published
subject
keywords
Dalby, symbols, historical method
host publication
Locus Celebris: Dalby kyrka, kloster och gård
editor
Borgehammar, Stephan and Wienberg, Jes
volume
Centrum för Danmarksstudier 28
pages
54 - 87
publisher
Makadam förlag
ISSN
1651-775X
ISBN
978-91-7061-116-2
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
The information about affiliations in this record was updated in December 2015. The record was previously connected to the following departments: Centre for Theology and Religious Studies (015017000)
id
8209bb97-8bd6-4763-8235-48534adf8cd4 (old id 3327521)
date added to LUP
2016-04-01 14:05:38
date last changed
2020-02-06 02:19:41
@inbook{8209bb97-8bd6-4763-8235-48534adf8cd4,
  abstract     = {{Interpretations of the church, monastery and manor of Dalby have focused primarily on the history and functions of the buildings, but symbolic interpretations have been involved too. The article discusses four categories of symbolic interpretations: Power Symbols, Cosmic Symbols, Biblical Symbols and Geographical Symbols. The conclusion is that it is hard, when dealing with specific buildings, to demonstrate which symbolical meanings were intended and recognized by people living in the eleventh and twelfth centuries. The line between scholarship and madness is thin. No strict method for avoiding madness exists, but it is wise to consciously avoid anachronisms, doubt one’s favourite mental images and take seriously any facts that “disturb” a seemingly plausible interpretation. Historical knowledge, constant practice and dialogue with other scholars are other preconditions. Risks remain, but the symbolic richness of Dalby makes us take them gladly.}},
  author       = {{Borgehammar, Stephan}},
  booktitle    = {{Locus Celebris: Dalby kyrka, kloster och gård}},
  editor       = {{Borgehammar, Stephan and Wienberg, Jes}},
  isbn         = {{978-91-7061-116-2}},
  issn         = {{1651-775X}},
  keywords     = {{Dalby; symbols; historical method}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  pages        = {{54--87}},
  publisher    = {{Makadam förlag}},
  title        = {{Symboler i Dalby}},
  volume       = {{Centrum för Danmarksstudier 28}},
  year         = {{2012}},
}