People have been creating, collecting, and displaying statues for as long as our history dates back. These figures use to be crudely made out of clay, twigs, and other found items and have evolved with our advancements.
Our skills grew and allowed for more developed and fine tuned skills to form. Now statues are amazing art pieces and are a mass produced commodity.

Figures would be made out of what was available and quick with a specific purpose. Now people have access to all types of material from fancy stones to basic clay and even can print their own with 3d printers. These can take as long as the person wants and be simple or elaborate. Most often they are bought at stores for the reason that they look neat or cool. Long gone are the days when the figures had a purpose and meaning.

Honouring

Statues were placed in the home to bring in a specific energy and to honour important deities. Every statue had a purpose, place, and time to be out on the family altar and was given as much respect as the entity they represented.

Each statue was chosen carefully and handled with respect. When not in use the figure were carefully wrapped in special fabric and placed in a sacred spot. This was to ensure they wouldn’t break or be stolen and to keep them safe from negative energies.

Statues would be dressed in oils for cleansing and to bring a specific desire forward. Sometimes done as an offering to that which was being represented.

Offerings would be laid out in front of the statues to gain favour or blessings. Most people were not able to make it to places of worship on a regular basis and this made the home altar even more important.

Modern Statues and Effigies

Today we have lost some knowledge and understanding around statues and effigies and why we have them. Instead most people chose them because they look cool, cute, or funny. While this isn’t wrong or bad in anyway; it is important to not only enjoy but to love the items you bring into your home.
Bringing in objects without regard to their meanings can cause some problems (and I am not taking “cursed objects” or “haunted objects” as that is a whole other topic).

Things to consider

When bringing an object into your home it is important to consider the following:

• Who or what is it?
  Are you meaning to bring in a tricky leprechaun or a vengeful goddess?
• What do they represent?
  Are they playful or disruptive with their tricks?

If you need more fun in your life by all means bring in a silly gnome sticking out its tongue, just be aware of who will be attracted to that energy and come with it. That playful gnome might attract in some disruptive ghosts or fairies.

Want to see justice served or need protection then bring in a statue of Athena or the Justice statue. They might seek justice in all cases though and not just the one you are needing.

Forethought

Next time you are out and see a statue or a figure you want take a moment and think about what it represents and might bring into your home. It is more than just a cute item of whimsy it is a physical representation of energy. With that it is perfectly awesome to have whimsical items on display that make you feel good!

Blessed Be!