The shepherd’s crook is a useful tool for shepherds on uneven ground and has been a symbol of divine rule since ancient times. It can be made of wood, horn, or metal and is used to catch straying animals. It also serves as a walking stick.
The shepherd’s crook is not only an image that appears in ancient and modern art, but it is also a very useful tool for shepherds moving across fields of different heights or on uneven ground. The symbol — a stick with a C-curve at the top that looks a lot like an oversized candy cane — has been around for millennia. The crook and the scourge were two symbols associated with the ancient Egyptian god, Osiris. Pharaohs wore such crooks to evoke the divine nature of their rule, and also as a symbol that they led or led their people. People may also see many depictions of Jesus Christ carrying such a staff, as he is often referred to as the shepherd of Christian followers.
Early versions of the shepherd’s crook were probably carved or constructed from wood, or often from horn. Indeed, the crooked handle can be called the horn. The length of the stick varies and a shorter person would like a shorter stick, with the handle no higher than the hip. As with any walking stick, a shepherd, goatherd or herder of any animal might find the rogue extremely useful when walking difficult or changing terrain. When not in use, the stick can be hung on the arm.
In modern times, people can still find many shepherds and goatherds, especially in the British Isles, who use a crook on a daily basis. While some still prefer the feel of carved wood or horn, others prefer a more modern take. Intricately carved crooks are available for purchase, as useful as they are ornamental. A new trend is to offer shepherd’s crooks in light but sturdy metals. There are fans of old and new forms.
Prices for elaborately carved wooden sticks, which may be all or at least partially handmade, can be particularly expensive. Aluminum crooks are lighter and some can be stronger than their wooden counterparts. Buyers can also buy fairly simple mass-produced wooden crooks relatively cheaply.
Not only does the shepherd’s crook serve as a walking stick, with many people using it just that way, but it can also serve a significant function in the pastoral world. The curved handle is normally wide enough to fit around the neck of a sheep or goat, allowing a shepherd to catch a straying animal and redirect it in a different direction. A crook may also have been used to hold down a sheep while the animal was being sheared, although this is not common today; most of the sheep are tethered during the shearing process.
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