animal sporrans ... symbolism, historic purpose, magick?

[pugcasso]

Another thread made me think of these animal sporrans I've seen posted. Although I don't want any for myself, I got to wondering about the historical invention of such things.

I'm also wondering if there was once (or now) any idea of there being some type of magickal or spiritual effect (or perceived purpose/effect) from wearing such animals (along similar lines to how specific animal feathers of even whole animals may have been worn for various ritualistic and spiritual purposes by many cultures). I am reminded of a shaman in a culture in the 'Americas' whose ritual outfit included dozens of dead animals of various kinds attached ... all for some spiritual/religious/shamanistic purpose.

Although I imagine most people don't consciously say they think such sporrans have some magickal or spiritual/religious purpose now, at one time there may have been something quite concrete associated with the wearing of these things.

I imagine these sporrans could have some similar magickal attachments in ages gone by.

Anyone know anything about such things?

[David Thorpe]

Possibly. Although I tend to believe that the fur sporran probably originated out of pure practicality (I admit to no expertise whatsoever on the early history of sporrans, fur or otherwise). This belief is due partly to the exhibited utility and simplicity of the early stages of the kilt.
What could be easier? Kill a small critter, case (and tan?) the hide, stitch the bottom shut, thread in a strap. Voila -- sporran.

[knotty]

There are some who believe that things from the earth have certain energies/powers associated with them. The ancient Celts had shaman. Shamanism is often passed down generation to generation.
It might be that "back in the day" the local Shaman had a totem animal & as time passed the Clan "chose" that animal for their sporran.

[Bigkahuna]

Glad mine didn't choose a bear!!!

[Chas]

My wife thinks I am pretty magical, but I am usually not wearing a sporran at the time!

Regards

Chas

[David Thorpe]

Glad mine didn't choose a bear!!!

Bear isn't bad at all.

[M. A. C. Newsome]

I have not come across any such symbolism in the historic record. Keep in mind that our modern day fur dress or full mask sporrans are really only a few hundred years old at most, and so you are not very likely to bump into any ancient shamanistic traditions there. The earliest depictions of sporrans I have seen (17th century and earlier) have all be leather pouches, rather than furs.

Above all, leather (and fur) were practical natural resources available to craftsmen and logical choices for making many items, including pouches.

[OC Richard]

Yes we often can't establish the meaning or purpose of things, which would mean getting into the mindset of persons in the past. For whatever reason people in the past rarely wrote about such things. We'd have to have an 18th century letter like "Yesterday I purchased a sporran with a badger's face on it, because I think the spirit of the badger will infuse into myself and give me courage in battle" but I don't think any such thing exists.

What we can do is look at the surviving imagry and try to see the earliest appearance of something and its context.

The earliest image I've found of a full mask sporran is a nice watercolour of a sergeant of The Black Watch, 1790. It looks like a sheep's face.

As far as I know the 93rd Highlanders wore badger mask sporrans from their raising in the 1790's.

The earliest painting I see which clearly shows a badger mask sporran is The MacNab by Raeburn, which by the style of his jacket looks maybe c1810.

In The Highlanders of Scotland, oddly enough, Scotsmen can be seen wearing racoon mask sporran.

[Deirachel]

OC Richard, I don't think the image you are referring to is to terribly odd. Keep in mind this book is mid-19th century. The American Fur trade was in full swing at this time. Wearing an "exotic" fur is a sign of wealth. Think of all the images of officers of the 16th-19th centuries wearing leopard skin embellishments. The much more expensive animals (lynx, ermine, etc.) would be for the very wealthy and nobility, while the lesser animals (badger, raccoon, beaver) would be available for the more common man. And, all of us know much of the styles we wear today is toned down from the ostentation of yesteryear.

Of course, if one wishes to ascribe a shamanic or magical meaning to one's possessions, the Neo-pagan movement is quite happy to give you one if you so wish to believe. Just pick which tradition you wish to use. (No, I will not be discussing religion here; no, I am not bashing Neo-paganism as I am a Neo-pagan minister myself.)

[Blake Roth]

Plus one to Deirachel's comment !!!
I have had my affiliations for some time, so when I chose to buy one of the STM's Fergusson Britt sporrans, that is what guided me to have it made with Black Bear fur (as well as the fact that my Pappy loved to hunt them when he was younger).
When it comes right down to it, what any object really means lies on the individual, whether mass produced or singularly hand crafted (though nothing beats a one-of-a-kind, of course).