Hilarri

Hilarri (Basque: hil ( ' death ') and harri ( ' stone ')) is the Basque name for a disk-shaped grave stele (French: stèle discoidal ).

Dating

Few of the older - and almost always nameless - steles bear a year; the oldest dated stelae date from the 16th and 17th centuries. However, one must assume that some of the obtained stelae several centuries older and have emerged in the High Middle Ages.

Construction

The grave steles are indeed always made of a single stone, but are generally of two parts - a trapezoidal base and a round disc attachment. Including the undercarriage - - sometimes both parts are ornamented, but never broken.

Orientation

Previously seem - established at the head of the grave and ornamented on one side only - to have been all oriented towards the east, ie in the direction of the rising sun pillars. But the most grave steles are no longer at their original site, the overall situation is unclear.

Ornaments

In principle, it should be noted that none of the older grave steles with figurative or vegetable motifs decorated. In contrast, the older stelae show some - often repetitive - abstract ornaments that are all working as a bas-relief:

• Crosses - often in the shape of paws Cross; complex and composite cross- shapes are often simple straight crosses are rare.
• Swastika Crosses and wheels - always in the form of lauburu (Basque: ' four heads '), a left - or right-handed blade cross. In rare cases, six or eight sheets or heads are possible.
• Rosettes - usually with six leaves
• Spoke wheels - usually with six spokes
• Wave or beam pattern - as a border for the central motif
• Concentric circles - spiral motives, however, do not occur

Symbolism

Originally perhaps existing style of the columns must be determined any more. In its silhouette ( trapezoidal base and round tower) they are vaguely reminiscent of a human body with trunk and head. The often framed by a serrated rim round plate is, however, associated by many researchers with the sun.

However, one must point out that in ancient floor mosaics - with the exception of some cross shapes - often find similar motifs. From this one could conclude that a symbolism of individual forms do not (any longer ) exist, but the desire for an abstract- decorative jewelry stand in the foreground.

The Eastern orientation of the graves and stelae, ie in the direction of the rising sun could be consistent with the age-old idea of ​​rebirth or resurrection in conjunction.

Others

The existence of a few square pillars must not go unmentioned. In addition, it should be mentioned that in other areas of the Southwest Europe (eg in Baraigne ) similar - not broken - grave steles are found.

Gallery

Jatxou (1596? )

Mouguerre

Bidarray

Espès (1669/1661)

Larressore ( 1633)

Larressore (1645? )