Definition of Religion by Clifford Geertz:
A system of symbols which acts to establish powerful, pervasive, and long-lasting moods and motivations in men by formulating conceptions of a general order of existence and clothing these conceptions with such an aura of factuality that the moods and motivations seem uniquely realistic.
Effigy mounds in Wisconsin definitely reflect Geertz's definition of religion above. The mounds were a 'system of symbols' that represented the beliefs and rituals of early Native Americans. Tangible and observable, the mounds were a central symbol that brought the native Americans together through ceremony and religious practices.
Although the mounds were not identical to one another (there wasn't 'one type' of mound, such as is found in other religions...a cross for Christianity, David's star for Judaism, etc.), they still drew on basic beliefs that linked the varying mounds together. The bird may be quite different from the panther/water spirit, but without both, the harmony found between the upper and lower worlds would be disturbed. The different animals and spirits found in the mounds kept the balance and symbolized the harmony and unity the native Americans hoped for in their lives. In other words, the mounds were a projection of the 'conceptions of a general order of existence' that allowed the builders to organize their beliefs through the construction and rituals put into the mounds.
Like any other religion, the mounds were a way of uniting its followers through a symbol (or symbols) that could be recognized and incorporated into religious practices. The mounds were more than just a symbol for the native Americans, though, for they also served as ritual sites and burial grounds...even the construction of the mounds was probably a religious undertaking. In any case, the mounds played an important role in the native American religion through both its symbolism and physicality.
Here's the National Parks Service site for effigy mounds in my home state of Iowa:
I completely agree with you on your post. Now a question that may not be answerable at the moment and something that i was wondering is, did the burial mounds define the symbols or did the symbols exemplify the burial mounds? We keep talking about how these mounds have these symbols which probably represent something more, but could the symbols be created by the mounds. Just a little food for thought.
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