EXTREMELY well said Fearn!!! and you're right, most sword symbolism calls upon protection rather than aggressive chaos (although the names given to swords such as the Viking swords etc. are pretty formidable......my own personal tulwar named 'killer of ceiling fans'!).
I also agree that typically the focus of academics and martial artists (including weapons historians) are worlds apart. I cannot even say how many disappointing times I have tried to find information concerning weaponry from various authors and authorities on art, cultures and anthropology, even archaeologists, and might as well have been speaking in Klingon. It does seem that of late, there have been some advances, but some authors I know writing in these areas and trying to address this perspective often express similar frustrations.
I agree with the note on the scholarly opinion of the gentleman on the possible jackal symbolism. It is a subjective opinion, based presumably on collective knowledge, but undoubtedly carrying influence of personal experience and perspective. Again, a temporal application.
You guys are right about the coyotes out here!!! and they were really loud last night!! (I'm still chuckling about David's reference to good old Wile, dragging around that anvil!!
on the pointy thing thread).
Very good discussion here, regardless of whether or not conclusive, its great to see very sound observations and reasoning, kind of ethnographic weapon forensics.
All best regards,
Jim