Ethnological

My work refers to the theory of cultural diffusion focusing on religious symbols and patterns. I wanted to illustrate this theory visually by creating one piece that incorporated four of the main religions, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism. The desired message is to highlight our similarities through one of our biggest differences.

Some of the symbols or motifs I have used relate to one of the four religions mentioned and some relate to two or more. For example the central hand piece, while it overtly symbolises Islam since it is based on designs of the hand of Fatima, the hand itself if one of the oldest symbols of mankind and has links with all four religions being referenced. Many of the symbols and motifs I have used have been found at religious sites across the world from Asia to Spain this highlights the theory of cultural diffusion and the movement of people throughout time.