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A wolf as a cultural construct
Ulmanová, Kateřina ; Soukup, Martin (referee) ; Soukup, Václav (advisor)
Originally, the Grey Wolf was the world's most widely distributed mammal. Both wolves and humans have coexisted together for thousands years. Hunter-gatherer societies often believe that humans are descendant from wolves, and the wolf may have a protective quality as well. No animal has so thoroughly captured the imagination of so many cultures around the world. Wolf image in Western mind develops from Pagan as well as Christian sources. In ancient Greece, wolf symbolism is ambiguous, ranging from negative associations with darkness, aggression and chtonic powers to positive links with the sun, light and spirit. In ancient Egypt, a wolf-shaped war god Upuauet act a psychopomp, sharing the dog's and jackal's role as a guide to the dead. However, as the agrarian way of life grew, the wolf has been often represented as implacable and malicious predator, killing more than it manages to eat. With its emphesisis on flock and its shepherd, especially the Bible made wolf a symbol of evil and malice. Still, the relationship with the wolf in people's mind was based on wide range of responses running from fear to admiration and affection, including the imaginary man-wolf beast: the werewolf, the monster who made a pact with Satan as well as noble creature frequently portrayed in a positive manner. This thesis is...
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