Ritualistic uses of ochre in ancient shamanic cultures

THE OCHRE PAPERS ISSUE #2

THE OCHRE PAPERS is a space for readers to go deeper into the themes I explore here. As you read, questions may rise—curiosities, challenges, or echoes of your own experience. This column is where you can bring them. Think of it as a gathering place for deeper inquiry and dialogue. You can ask me anything, and I’ll choose some of your questions to explore publicly in these pages. Your questions—sent through messages and emails—have already been funny, moving, unexpected, and profound.

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Hi friends,

Here is the second issue of The Ochre Papers, my new Q&A column.

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THE OCHRE PAPERS ISSUE #2

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Bison, Altamira replica, Northern Spain, c. 14,000 BC. © Gabriela Gutierrez

Hi, could you explore something of the ritualistic uses of ochre and iron oxide in ancient shamanic cultures? Do you know where the nearest deposit of them is for you?

— Peter Webb, Permaculturist, Italy

Dear Peter,

I love this question! Because ochre - particularly red ochre - has been a focal point of much of my research. To speak of ochre is to touch one of humanity’s oldest and most sacred rituals. It’s more than just a pigment; it is a symbol and a sacrament; a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms. Ochre has been used in shamanic rituals for over 100,000 years and holds a deep, enduring connection to the cycles of life, death and rebirth. It represents the blood of the Earth - the life-giving force that sustains all living beings - much like women’s menstrual blood and birth blood, both of which carry the power of creation and renewal.

The earliest known use of ochre in ritual contexts can be traced back to the Palaeolithic period, where it was used in burials and other ceremonies. At sites such as Qafzeh and Skhul in Israel (~100,000 years ago), red ochre was applied to the dead, symbolising the life force and the cyclical nature of existence. The colour red, in many cultures, symbolises not just blood but also life and death (like the folkloric red egg of Spring) - an embodiment of regeneration. The application of ochre in burials reflected the belief that death was not an end but a transformation and a return to the Earth where the spirit would be reborn.

However, it is important to note that ochre was not applied in burial practices for everyone. Rather, it was typically reserved for certain individuals who were believed to hold a special spiritual or ritualistic role within their community. This selective use suggests that the individuals buried with ochre were likely seen as spiritually significant, possibly shamans or those with a deep connection to the divine. These individuals were thought to possess the ability to bridge the physical and spiritual realms, a role that was both revered and honoured by their communities.

Palaeolithic caves, with their deep, dark interiors, may have been seen as womb-like spaces - sacred places where life was both created and reborn. The use of ochre to paint the walls of these caves, including handprints and animal figures, can be understood as a symbolic act of connecting to the life-giving energy of the womb. The act of painting with ochre inside these caves replicated the blood of the womb, marking the initiation of new life. In this way, the caves themselves may have been seen as sacred womb temples, places where life was conceived and where the power of creation was honoured and invoked.

Ochre was often applied to the body, especially during times of spiritual or physical transformation. In shamanic cultures, it was used as body paint, creating a “second skin” that connected the person to the spiritual realm. Both men and women, particularly those undergoing initiation or transformation, would cover themselves in ochre to mark their spiritual journey and invoke protection. The use of ochre in these rites was a powerful act of spiritual transformation, signifying a person's movement between realms.

For shamans, the use of ochre was particularly significant. It was believed to empower them to move between the visible and invisible worlds. This transformation was facilitated by the physical and symbolic power of the ochre, which served as a conduit between realms. In these contexts, ochre was not just a physical substance, but a sacred tool that bridged the human and the divine.

Ochre’s symbolism is also deeply connected to women’s menstrual blood and birth blood, both of which have long been associated with the life-giving power of the Earth. The red of ochre mirrored the blood of life - an embodiment of the regenerative forces that sustain us. This connection between ochre and the sacred blood of women can be seen in how ochre was often used to anoint goddess figures in Palaeolithic art.

These artefacts - many of which were painted or coated with ochre - represent the cycle of life and the regenerative aspects of the feminine. The use of ochre in this way also suggests that the early cultures who created these figures revered the regenerative power of women and sought to connect with the divine feminine through ritual.

Ochre Around the World: A Universal Sacred Substance

Ochre’s use in ancient rituals spans continents, reinforcing its universal significance across cultures. In the Americas, Indigenous tribes used ochre for ceremonial face painting and body decoration during rites of passage. For example, the Ojibwe people of North America would use ochre during their coming-of-age ceremonies, marking young people as they transitioned into adulthood and their role in the spiritual life of their communities.

In Africa, ochre has long been used by various cultures for both ritual and protective purposes. In the Sahara and Sahel regions, it was applied to the skin, particularly for women during menstruation and childbirth, as a form of spiritual protection. The colour red, symbolising vitality and life, was seen as a shield against negative energies and harmful spirits.

In the Balkans, ochre was used in burial rites, where it was applied to the deceased to protect them in the afterlife. Similar practices have been found in prehistoric burial sites across Europe, where ochre was sprinkled on graves, often marking the individual’s special status, possibly as a shaman or spiritual leader.

In addition to its use in burials and initiation rites, ochre was also employed in healing and protection rituals. Many ancient cultures believed that ochre had protective and curative properties. It was often applied to the skin to seal wounds, protect against illness, and ward off malevolent spirits. In the context of childbirth, women would sometimes paint themselves with ochre for protection, invoking its life-giving and protective qualities to ensure a safe delivery.

In some Siberian shamanic traditions, ochre was used during rituals to heal the sick, particularly when the illness was seen as a disruption in the balance between the physical and spiritual realms. Shamans would use ochre to paint symbols on the body or on sacred objects to restore harmony and invite the healing forces of the Earth.

Ochre in the Cave Paintings of Palaeolithic Europe

One of the most well-known uses of ochre in ancient rituals is seen in the cave paintings of Palaeolithic Europe, particularly in France and Spain. These caves, such as Lascaux and Altamira, contain paintings that feature handprints, animals, and symbols, many of which were created with red ochre. These paintings are not merely artistic -they are believed to have had ritual significance.

The connection between ochre and ritual speaks to the importance of the Earth’s life-giving properties in both spiritual and physical sustenance. Just as women’s menstrual blood is a symbol of fertility and life, the ochre painted on cave walls may have symbolized a pact with the Earth to provide for the people, ensuring the continuation of life and the community’s survival.

As for the question about my nearest deposit of ochre - where I’m from in Northern Spain it os located in the Monte Buciero area near Santoña, approximately 27 km from El Mirón Cave. This site is notable for its association with the "Red Lady" burial, a significant archaeological find dating back about 18,800 years. The ochre used in her burial was sourced from Monte Buciero, highlighting the intentional selection of this material for ritual purposes. I’m currently writing an essay about her that I will share on here soon!

When I’m in Victoria, Australia, my nearest ochre deposit lies to the north, near Torquay. These ochre deposits, historically used by the Wadawurrung people for ceremonial body painting and other cultural practices, range in hues from crimson-red to yellow. I’ve not been yet but I hope to go for a walk there when I return.

Ochre is so much more than just a pigment; it is a sacred substance, imbued with the life force of the Earth. Its use in ancient shamanic cultures reflects a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all life. By applying ochre to the body, painting the walls of caves, or sprinkling it on the dead, ancient peoples honoured the cycles of life, death, and rebirth. Just as women’s blood has been a symbol of creation, so too is ochre the blood of the Earth - a symbol of the regenerative powers that sustain all life.

With warm regards,
Gabriela

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