LOREDANA-MARIA ILIN-GROZOIU
Cercetător ştiinţific III, dr., Institutul de Cercetări Socio-Umane „C.S. Nicolăescu-Plopşor”, Craiova al Academiei Române;
E-mail: lorelayy2007@yahoo.com
Abstract
The presence of a complex of rites, rituals and ceremonial practices related to toiag(circular-shaped candle; staff), in the Romanian ethnographic space, unravels, when researched thoroughly, profound mythical-religious implications. Moreover, mythical and magical virtues of the toiag are also evidenced in the folkloric sub-genres, preponderantly in legends, carols and fairy tales.
The toiag of the dead person, with its multiple denominations that evidence its role, can be inserted in the series of the World Axis symbols. This ritual object has a winding shape, which is a symbol of the road the soul goes after dying. In the journey that the soul makes, it is essential the correct choice of the way towards right. From left to right, it is also burnt the wax candle.
Furthermore, the toiag is a sign of power, symbol of wisdom and the placing of the man, by God, in a position of leadership and control, in relation to the other people.
Keywords
toiag, symbolism, ritual object, sign of power, sign of wisdom.