Builders' rites
Encyclopedia
Builders' rites are ceremonies
attendant on the laying of foundation stones, whether ecclesiastical, masonic or otherwise, and other traditions connected with foundation
s or other aspects of construction.
One such custom is that of placing within a cavity beneath the stone, a few coins of the realm, newspapers, etc. The ordinary view that by such means particulars may be found of the event on the removal of the stone hereafter, may suffice as respects latter-day motives, but such memorials are deposited in the hope that they will never be disturbed, and so another reason must be found for such an ancient survival. Whilst old customs continue, the reasons for them are ever changing, and certainly this fact applies to laying foundation stones.
Grimm
(Teutonic Mythology (1883–1884), (trans. Stalleybrass).) remarks "It was often thought necessary to immure live animals and even men in the foundation, on which the structure was to be raised, to secure immovable stability."
There is no lack of evidence as to this gruesome practice, both in savage and civilized communities. "The old pagan laid the
foundation of his house and fortress in blood." (Baring-Gould
on "Foundations," Murray's Mag. (1887).) Under the walls of two round towers in Ireland
(the only ones examined) human skeletons have been discovered. In the 15th century, the wall of Holsworthy
church was built over a living human being, and when this became unlawful, images of living beings were substituted (Folk-Lore Journal, i. 23-24).
The best succinct account of these rites is to be obtained in G. W. Speth's Builders' Rites and Ceremonies (1893). (W. J. H.*)
There are also references of this practice in Greek folk culture in a poem about "Arta's bridge". According to a folk poem the wife of the chief builder was sacrificed by himself to establish good foundation for the bridge that was of grave importance to the secluded city of Arta. The actual bridge was constructed in 1602.
Another analysis of the scope of the foundation sacrifices can be found in Folklorist Alan Dundes' The Walled-up Wife. U.of Wisconsin Press (1996).
Ceremony
A ceremony is an event of ritual significance, performed on a special occasion. The word may be of Etruscan origin.-Ceremonial occasions:A ceremony may mark a rite of passage in a human life, marking the significance of, for example:* birth...
attendant on the laying of foundation stones, whether ecclesiastical, masonic or otherwise, and other traditions connected with foundation
Foundation (architecture)
A foundation is the lowest and supporting layer of a structure. Foundations are generally divided into two categories: shallow foundations and deep foundations.-Shallow foundations:...
s or other aspects of construction.
One such custom is that of placing within a cavity beneath the stone, a few coins of the realm, newspapers, etc. The ordinary view that by such means particulars may be found of the event on the removal of the stone hereafter, may suffice as respects latter-day motives, but such memorials are deposited in the hope that they will never be disturbed, and so another reason must be found for such an ancient survival. Whilst old customs continue, the reasons for them are ever changing, and certainly this fact applies to laying foundation stones.
Origins
Originally, it appears that living victims were selected as "a sacrifice to the gods," and especially to ensure the stability of the building.Grimm
Jacob Grimm
Jacob Ludwig Carl Grimm was a German philologist, jurist and mythologist. He is best known as the discoverer of Grimm's Law, the author of the monumental Deutsches Wörterbuch, the author of Deutsche Mythologie and, more popularly, as one of the Brothers Grimm, as the editor of Grimm's Fairy...
(Teutonic Mythology (1883–1884), (trans. Stalleybrass).) remarks "It was often thought necessary to immure live animals and even men in the foundation, on which the structure was to be raised, to secure immovable stability."
There is no lack of evidence as to this gruesome practice, both in savage and civilized communities. "The old pagan laid the
foundation of his house and fortress in blood." (Baring-Gould
Sabine Baring-Gould
The Reverend Sabine Baring-Gould was an English hagiographer, antiquarian, novelist and eclectic scholar. His bibliography consists of more than 1240 publications, though this list continues to grow. His family home, Lew Trenchard Manor near Okehampton, Devon, has been preserved as he had it...
on "Foundations," Murray's Mag. (1887).) Under the walls of two round towers in Ireland
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
(the only ones examined) human skeletons have been discovered. In the 15th century, the wall of Holsworthy
Holsworthy, Devon
Holsworthy is a market town in the north west of Devon, England. It is situated near the county border with Cornwall, and is 9 miles from the coastal resort of Bude. It is on the intersection of the A388 and A3072 roads, and lies on the River Deer, a tributary of the Tamar...
church was built over a living human being, and when this became unlawful, images of living beings were substituted (Folk-Lore Journal, i. 23-24).
The best succinct account of these rites is to be obtained in G. W. Speth's Builders' Rites and Ceremonies (1893). (W. J. H.*)
There are also references of this practice in Greek folk culture in a poem about "Arta's bridge". According to a folk poem the wife of the chief builder was sacrificed by himself to establish good foundation for the bridge that was of grave importance to the secluded city of Arta. The actual bridge was constructed in 1602.
Another analysis of the scope of the foundation sacrifices can be found in Folklorist Alan Dundes' The Walled-up Wife. U.of Wisconsin Press (1996).
See also
- Bay bridge trollBay Bridge TrollA section of the Oakland-San Francisco Bay Bridge collapsed during the Loma-Prieta earthquake that rocked San Francisco Bay Area in 1989. The Bay Bridge was closed for several weeks while repairs were made...
- CornerstoneCornerstoneThe cornerstone concept is derived from the first stone set in the construction of a masonry foundation, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.Over time a cornerstone became a ceremonial masonry stone, or...
- Foundation depositFoundation depositFoundation deposits are ritual mudbrick lined pits or holes dug at specific points under Ancient Egyptian temples or tombs, which were filled with ceremonial objects, usually amulets, scarabs, food, or ritual miniature tools, and were supposed to prevent the building from falling into...
- Ship naming and launchingShip naming and launchingThe ceremonies involved in naming and launching naval ships are based in traditions thousands of years old.-Methods of launch:There are three principal methods of conveying a new ship from building site to water, only two of which are called "launching." The oldest, most familiar, and most widely...
- Time capsuleTime capsuleA time capsule is an historic cache of goods or information, usually intended as a method of communication with future people and to help future archaeologists, anthropologists, or historians...
- Topping outTopping outIn building construction, topping out is a ceremony held when the last beam is placed at the top of a building. The term may also refer to the overall completion of the building's structure, or an intermediate point, such as when the roof is dried in...
- Votive deposit
Further reading
- Alan Dundes' The Walled-up Wife. U.of Wisconsin Press (1996).
- John V. Robinson. http://www.findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3732/is_200110/ai_n8986046 "The 'topping out' traditions of the high-steel ironworkers." Western Folklore. Fall 2001.