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Gardens in the Dunes

Book by Leslie Marmon Silko · 2 quotes · Ancient Beliefs, Ancient Gardens, European Beliefs

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Gardens in the Dunes Quotes

“Nearly all human cultures plant gardens, and the garden itself has ancient religious connections. For a long time, I've been interested in pre-Christian European beliefs, and the pagan devotions to sacred groves of trees and sacred springs. My German translator gave me a fascinating book on the archaeology of Old Europe, and in it I discovered ancient artifacts that showed that the Old European cultures once revered snakes, just as we Pueblo Indian people still do. So I decided to take all these elements - orchids, gladiolus, ancient gardens, Victorian gardens, Native American gardens, Old European figures of Snake-bird Goddesses - and write a novel about two young sisters at the turn of the century.”

InspirationOrchidsGardensPre Christian EuropeAncient GardensGladiolusNative American SymbolismSnake Bird Goddess
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“Laura described the remnants of snake devotion still found in rural villages of the Black and Adriatic Seas. There, people believed black or green snakes bore guardian spirits who protected their cattle and their homes. In her travels Laura saw ornamental snakes carved to decorate the roofs and windows for protection. Great good fortune came to anyone who met a big white snake wearing a crown,; the crowned snake was the sister of the waterbird goddess, owner and guardian of life water and life milk.”

SnakesAncient BeliefsEuropean BeliefsOrnamental CarvingsSnake DevotionWaterbird GoddessWhite Snakes
Book:Gardens in the Dunes
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