The Icon of the Vulva, A Basis of Civilization

Starr Goode

Abstract

Starr Goode’s lavishly illustrated article, “The Icon of the Vulva, A Basis of Civilization,” celebrates images of the vulva as expressions of the ancient origins of art, spirituality and civilization. She writes, “Symbols may be the oldest ways humans interpret reality. Not language, not tools, but creating images is at the root of what it means to be a human being. This fundamental activity goes back hundreds of thousands of years.” Goode takes her lead from Marija Gimbutas who emphases that the main theme of Goddess symbolism is the mystery of birth and death and the renewal of life, not only for all life on earth, but for the entire cosmos. For this article, Goode traces images of the vulva from the Paleolithic period to modern times throughout the world as expressions, in numerous variations, of this great mystery of transformation at the center of all life.