---
title: Sheela-na-gig
author: Jan van der Crabben
source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17742/sheela-na-gig/
format: machine-readable-alternate
license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/)
updated: 2023-08-16
---

# Sheela-na-gig

_Authored by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/)_

## Image File

[![Sheela-na-gig](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17742.jpg)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/17742.jpg)

## Image Caption

Sheela-na-gig figure, carved from stone in [Ireland](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Ireland/), c. 1100-1200 CE. Such Sheela-na-gig figures prominently display their vulvas. Their meaning is still debated: as they were often found on churches and secular buildings in Ireland, [Britain](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Britain/), France, and Spain after 1100 CE, they may be understood as Christian warnings against lust. Another interpretation understands them as symbols of fertility and regeneration, as their emaciated bodies evoke [death](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Death/) and their vulvas represent birth and life.

The British Museum, London. WITT.258.

#### Editorial Review

This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/).

## About the Author

Jan is the Founder & Chairman of World History Encyclopedia and is the organisation's Director of Design & Technology. He holds an MA War Studies from King's College, and he has worked in the field of history-related digital media since 2006.
- [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/janvdc)

## Cite This Work

### APA
Crabben, J. v. d. (2023, August 16). Sheela-na-gig. *World History Encyclopedia*. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17742/sheela-na-gig/>
### Chicago
Crabben, Jan van der. "Sheela-na-gig." *World History Encyclopedia*, August 16, 2023. <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17742/sheela-na-gig/>.
### MLA
Crabben, Jan van der. "Sheela-na-gig." *World History Encyclopedia*, 16 Aug 2023, <https://www.worldhistory.org/image/17742/sheela-na-gig/>.

## License & Copyright

Submitted by [Jan van der Crabben](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/jvdc/ "User Page: Jan van der Crabben"), published on 16 August 2023. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.