Abstract
Not much is known about how the cultural image of predators has been constructed in Western contexts and changed through time. This article reviews representations of lynx in Western Europe. A 'cultural map' of lynx in historical contexts is presented, and the 'social visibility' of the Iberian lynx in Portugal explored. Since prehistoric times the lynx has been an inspiration, an amulet, a creature gifted with extraordinary capacities but also a food item, and a 'vermin' to eliminate. Recently, the Iberian lynx has become a global conservation emblem; once a noxious predator, it is now a symbol of wilderness. Examples show how the species acquired visibility and has been appropriated in contemporary contexts such as logos, 'green' marketing, urban art or political campaigns. There is also evidence of a new identity construction in Portuguese rural areas where lynx is being reintroduced, exemplifying a process of objectification of nature.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 25-56 |
| Number of pages | 32 |
| Journal | Anthropological Journal of European Cultures |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2016 |
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Keywords
- Animal representations
- Human-nonhuman relationship
- Lynx
- Nature objectification
- Predator perceptions
Cite this
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The (In)visibility of the Iberian Lynx : from vermin to conservation emblem. / Lopes-Fernandes, Margarida; Frazão-Moreira, Amélia.
In: Anthropological Journal of European Cultures, Vol. 25, No. 2, 2016, p. 25-56.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
TY - JOUR
T1 - The (In)visibility of the Iberian Lynx
T2 - from vermin to conservation emblem
AU - Lopes-Fernandes, Margarida
AU - Frazão-Moreira, Amélia
N1 - UID/ANT/04038/2013; SFRH/BD/75769/2011; EC – LIFE Programme
PY - 2016
Y1 - 2016
N2 - Not much is known about how the cultural image of predators has been constructed in Western contexts and changed through time. This article reviews representations of lynx in Western Europe. A 'cultural map' of lynx in historical contexts is presented, and the 'social visibility' of the Iberian lynx in Portugal explored. Since prehistoric times the lynx has been an inspiration, an amulet, a creature gifted with extraordinary capacities but also a food item, and a 'vermin' to eliminate. Recently, the Iberian lynx has become a global conservation emblem; once a noxious predator, it is now a symbol of wilderness. Examples show how the species acquired visibility and has been appropriated in contemporary contexts such as logos, 'green' marketing, urban art or political campaigns. There is also evidence of a new identity construction in Portuguese rural areas where lynx is being reintroduced, exemplifying a process of objectification of nature.
AB - Not much is known about how the cultural image of predators has been constructed in Western contexts and changed through time. This article reviews representations of lynx in Western Europe. A 'cultural map' of lynx in historical contexts is presented, and the 'social visibility' of the Iberian lynx in Portugal explored. Since prehistoric times the lynx has been an inspiration, an amulet, a creature gifted with extraordinary capacities but also a food item, and a 'vermin' to eliminate. Recently, the Iberian lynx has become a global conservation emblem; once a noxious predator, it is now a symbol of wilderness. Examples show how the species acquired visibility and has been appropriated in contemporary contexts such as logos, 'green' marketing, urban art or political campaigns. There is also evidence of a new identity construction in Portuguese rural areas where lynx is being reintroduced, exemplifying a process of objectification of nature.
KW - Animal representations
KW - Human-nonhuman relationship
KW - Lynx
KW - Nature objectification
KW - Predator perceptions
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84999026019&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3167/ajec.2016.250202
DO - 10.3167/ajec.2016.250202
M3 - Article
VL - 25
SP - 25
EP - 56
JO - Anthropological Journal of European Cultures
JF - Anthropological Journal of European Cultures
SN - 1755-2923
IS - 2
ER -