Medieval Symbols And Customs

Medieval symbols and customs are so unmistakably medieval because of their distinct traits. Many modern day interpretations of medieval society involve the use of symbols and customs that almost anyone can recognize as medieval. Some of these symbols and customs include armor, swords, thrones, jousting, and castles. Today, we might recognize medieval society as violent and barbaric, but that is because we perceive their ideas and customs through our modern lens. We also do not know if our modern interpretations of medieval symbols and customs are authentic or contrived. What some modern viewers do not understand is that medieval people often performed acts of violence as a show of honor or respect. For example, men participated in jousting matches because it was honorable to be a competitor even if it meant they would inevitably get hurt. They also make the effort to show respect to one another as competitors, which is an important part of medieval culture. Another
These means of celebration and punishment may seem primitive to us modern readers, but these were the most prominent means of celebration and punishment for medieval cultures. We most commonly associate medievalism with brutality and ferocity today, but medieval people saw burning on a funeral pyre one of the most honorable ways to be sent off to the afterlife. We do not understand these methods of celebration because modern society is much more sensitized towards violence and even for a dead person to be set afire seems drastic; however, we have adapted this idea in our culture. Even today, we cremate deceased people upon their request and ceremonially spread their ashes in various places. Perhaps because of this, we have learned to appreciate in small ways the traditions that are passed down from cultures much older than our