Product description
The wild boar is an animal with great symbolic significance in the history of European peoples. This dates back to the time of the Indo-Europeans. In Indo-European traditions, the wild boar was regarded as equally important as large predators such as the wolf and the bear and played a major role in the cult of the koryos. The origin of the word ‘wild boar’ can be traced back to a Proto-Indo-European term related to ‘to throw’ or ‘to ejaculate,’ which points to its symbolism of fertility and reproduction. In cultures such as the Hittites and Mycenaean Greeks, the wild boar was considered a sacred animal. Mycenaean warriors wore helmets adorned with wild boar tusks as a sign of courage and combativeness—something even described by Homer. The wild boar was also revered in Germanic and Baltic traditions as a powerful and sacred animal, symbolizing both war and fertility. It was associated with gods, heroes, sacrifices, and as food for the divine.
Within Germanic warrior traditions, a special battle formation inspired by the boar even developed: the Svinfylking or ‘boar’s snout.’ According to legend, this tactic was devised by Wodan and consisted of a triangular formation of heavily armed warriors with spear carriers on the edges, designed to repel cavalry. Like the berserkers (associated with the bear) and ulfhednar (associated with the wolf), these warriors saw the wild boar as their totem animal. Sculptures, weapons, coins, and banners featuring wild boar motifs have been found across many European cultures, testifying to the deep symbolic meaning this animal has had throughout the centuries. One example is the Benty Grange helmet. This helmet is a rare and valuable surviving example of a helmet with a wild boar crest. Its nasal piece featured a silver cross, symbolizing how ancient pagan traditions and the acceptance of Christianity coexisted. Other similar finds, references to such helmets in poetry like Beowulf, and images show that they were an important symbol for the Anglo-Saxons, representing strength and endurance. In myths and folklore, the wild boar often symbolizes ferocity, war, or fertility. This is also reflected in Norse mythology. Freyr, the god of fertility, owned a wild boar named Gullinbursti, whose mane glowed in the dark. His sister, Freya, had a wild boar named Hildesvini, which she rode into battle. The wild boar also appears in the art of Celtic peoples such as the Picts as iconography representing fertility and war.
This wild boar hide is tanned and comes from a boar that lived in the wild in Germany. In Germany, there is an overpopulation of wild boars, so hunting takes place twice a year between June 16 and January 30 to maintain the ecosystem. The hunting mainly targets older boars (male wild pigs). Place yourself in the tradition of your ancestors and decorate your living room or bedroom with this beautiful hide. This hide is also suitable for reenactment, for example of a koryos or an Anglo-Saxon warrior.
Details:
Material: tanned wild boar skin
Originating from the German wild boar hunt (June 16 to January 30) due to the rapidly growing wild boar population.
Tanned by German hunter
Dimensions: 120 x 95 cm
Please note: this is an average size. All boarskins are unique and sizes may vary.
Shipment weight (g): 5000 *
This item is produced in limited quantities only. This means that every piece is unique. Sizes & finish may vary lightly from piece to piece.
The animal parts in this item are made from animals caught in the wild, or animals killed in pest control for lack of a natural enemy like possums.
When packaging this item, we exclusively use 100% recycled plastic and recycled paper/cardboard from FSC certified forests. We reuse a large part of the material directly without the intervention of a recycling process.
Recycle the material by separating your waste:
1. Cardboard: separate or reuse your paper.
2. Plastic cushions, clothing bags and plastic tape: separate or reuse your plastic. If possible, pierce the cushions with a volume reduction needle.
3. Paper packaging for jewelry and small items: these have a plastic inner layer. Remove these, then separate your paper and plastic.
Read here about how we are committed to sustainability.
