Shrouds and their symbolism - The Odyssey

The wrapping of a deceased person has acquired a wealth of symbolism throughout history. In various cultures and rituals this act has been interpreted in its own way, which has given the tradition of wrapping a lot of meaning over time. Every week we share a story from the rich culture of the shroud .

Shrouds in the Odyssey

In ancient Greece, as throughout the world throughout antiquity, cloth was a valuable material because it was labor-intensive to make. Being able to weave was seen as evidence of good breeding. In the Odyssey, which is one of the most famous works of the Greek poet Homer, along with the Iliad, there is a character named Penelope. While waiting for her husband to return home after the Trojan War, she uses weaving a shroud as a way to keep suitors at bay. The shroud was supposed to be for her father-in-law, and she told the suitors that she would choose one of them as her new husband when the shroud was finished. However, during the night she took the weaving apart again, so that moment never came. This story shows how a shroud is a sign of fidelity and piety in ancient Greek tradition.