Crossing the line : a look at the symbols of the ritual throughout time / by Jana Lynn Otte.
| Author/creator | Otte, Jana Lynn author. |
| Other author | Stewart, David J. (David James), 1968- degree supervisor. |
| Other author | East Carolina University. Department of History. |
| Format | Theses and dissertations |
| Publication | [Greenville, N.C.] : [East Carolina University], 2014. |
| Description | 139 pages : illustrations (some color) |
| Supplemental Content | Access via ScholarShip |
| Subjects |
| Summary | During the Age of Sail, sailors often marked their experience by the crossing of the equator or another Tropic line. This crossing indicated that the sailor had moved from the rank of inexperienced pollywog to the new rank of experienced shellback. The ceremony was, and still is, a rite of passage that led the sailors from one state to another, providing trials that helped move the sailors through the liminal phase between the two states of being. The symbolism inherent in the costumes, props, actions, and words can aid in modern understanding of this age-old tradition. This research looks at the symbolism involved in these rituals in order to achieve a better understanding of the meaning behind the rituals, while also applying the knowledge to modern day perceptions of the rituals in film, literature, and art. |
| General note | Presented to the faculty of the Department of History. |
| General note | Advisor: David Stewart. |
| General note | Title from PDF t.p. (viewed March 30, 2015). |
| Dissertation note | M.A. East Carolina University 2014. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references. |
| Technical details | System requirements: Adobe Reader. |
| Technical details | Mode of access: World Wide Web. |