Folklore:  Tall (and wooly) Tales

Photograph courtesy of Kate Greenaway 

According to Dartmoor Studios, one variation of sheep in ancient folklore goes as follows:

"Sheep, like goats, are associated with Christmas in folk tales told across northern Europe and the British Isles.  On Christmas eve, these tales report, all sheep face east, bow three times, and are gifted with the power of speech from the stroke of midnight until the rise of the sun.  This holy ritual cannot take place under the gaze of human beings, bur provided the sheep are unobserved and unaware, their conversations can be overheard.  In some accounts, the sheep sing hymns; in others, they foretell events of the year to come; and in some they gossip, praising or bemoaning the conditions in which they live.  A grumbling sheep, mind you, is a cause for worry, because sheep are especially beloved and protected by Mother Mary in the folklore tradition, and a black mark is lodged in the heavenly accounts against farmers or shepherds who treat them ill."

"The Royal Ram" Photograph courtesy of Adrienne Segur 

In ancient farming traditions, sheep were considered to be sacred animals.  Farmers believed that sheep were the ones who told heavenly hosts how their farmers treated them during their mortal life.  In turn, sheep were well taken care of and beloved in most societies.  

Going back to myths older than Christianity:  Duttur was the Sumerian pastoral goddess associated with ewes, milk, and arts of the dairy; she was the mother of Tammuz:  the shepherd God of rebirth, fertility and new growth in spring.  Likewise, the ram-headed Khnum in Egyptian myth was a God of rebirth and pastoral regeneration.  As one of the oldest of Egyptian deities, he also was the God of creation, forming human bodies in clay on a potter's wheel and placing them inside their mother's womb.  In Greek myth, Aristaios (son of Apollo and Cyrene) was the God of shepherds and beekeepers.  The island of Ceos was the center of his cult (though he is also associated with the founding of Thebes), where his followers practiced "weather magic" and were renown for their find herds and dairy skills.  

Sheep are related to rebirth and innocence.  Jesus Christ was called "The Lamb of God".  A perfect, first born lamb was presented to Him at His birth.  Sheep have been a symbol of purity and innocence since ancient times, even representing children today.  When a child dies, a lamb is often depicted on their grave.  

"Head of a Ewe" sculpted between 3500-3000 BC photograph courtesy of terriwindling.com

So whether it be today, or thousands of years ago, sheep have been symbols of farming culture and people's relationships and love for animals.  Their part in the history of agriculture is very prevalent and well documented.  Sheep are wonderful creatures that will continue to prove to be a useful aspect and loyal friend to mankind.  

Windling, T. (n.d.). Into the Woods The Folklore of Sheep. Retrieved from http://www.terriwindling.com/blog/2014/12/the-folklore-of-sheep.htm