Geographical lore

From Geography

Geographical lore (under construction)

Geograhpical lore can be seen as the way people interpret their environmental surroundings. This interpretation can come from both factual as spiritual. This is among others influenced by the basic elements such as water, land, air etc. Not only the actual event, but also the spiritual interpretation of these events is very important.

Wright has written the following about Geographical Lore: By 'geographical lore' we mean what was known, believed and felt about the origins, present condition and distribution of the geographical elements of the earth ... It comprises theories of the creation of the earth, of its size, shape and movements, and of its relations to the heavenly bodies; of the zones of its atmosphere and of the varied physiographic features of air, wat4er and land...

An example of older geographical lore is easily shown by images of older painted perspectual city fronts. When looking at an old perspective city front from the middle ages of a city in central Europe, one might see a very central painted city with all its larger important structures and reference points. The assumtion that one can make is that for people living in this area, in the middle ages, this particular city was the centre of their world. Nowadays the exact same thing is often done. Mapmakers place the worldmap in such a way for their clients or audience because these are used to this perspective of the world. Both elementary as spiritually.

References

Wright, J.K. (1925). The Geographical Lore of the Time of the Crusades; a Study in the History of Medieval Science and Tradition in Western Europe. New York, American Geographical Society, 1925.