Placenta rituals from cultures around the world
The placenta is an amazing and unique organ. It grows with the baby from the first cell divisions, so it can start its important job of providing nutrition as soon as possible.
It is the direct physical link between mother and child and as such can even provide comfort for the baby. They grow together, intertwined and connected in the womb. At birth, the placenta maintains its connection to the uterus for as long as possible, to continue to support life until the baby’s successful arrival in the outside world. Only then does he give up his control over the mother and he too is born. However, in the case of the placenta, its birth will only hasten its death. Even so, the connection between the placenta and the child continues after the duo is born. If allowed to separate naturally, such as in a lotus birth, the placenta will remain attached to the baby for several days before inevitably breaking its bond.
Considering the powerful role of the placenta in the early, perfect and serene life of a child, it is easy to understand how the placenta is considered sacred in other cultures.
Eloquent ceremonies to honor the placenta are performed in countries all over the world, and even right here in our own backyard. It is the custom of the Navajo of the American Southwest to bury a child’s placenta in the sacred region of the Four Corners to bind the child to his ancestral land and to his people. New Zealand Maori bury the placenta in native soil for the same reason. They even applied their word for dirt to the placenta: whenua. In certain regions of Siberia, it is believed that the buried placenta is sick or uncomfortable if the baby gets sick. The grave is treated, and the placenta can be reburied elsewhere in the hope of curing the child. 1
Interpretation of the relationship between the placenta and the child varies widely throughout the world. The Ibo of Nigeria and Ghana consider the placenta to be the twin of the baby. The aimaras and quechas of Bolivia say that the placenta has its own spirit. Malaysians consider the placenta to be the child’s older brother. When the baby smiles unexpectedly, it is said that he is playing with his brother. The Parigi of the Celebes Islands also see the placenta as the big brother. It is carefully preserved in a special pot, wrapped in white cotton, and ritually buried by the mother. Palm trees are then planted to honor the burial site. Similar beliefs can be found in Java and Bali. The Toba-Bataks of Sumatra believe that the placenta is the younger brother. It is also believed to contain one of the seven souls each person possesses, which can act as a sort of conscience for the child. In Iceland, it is held that the child’s guardian spirit resides in the placenta, leading them to call it “fylgia”, which means “guardian angel”. In Western Australia, the placenta is considered to be the mate of the child. It is kept in a covered pot for three days before burial, during which there is an honorary silence.
The Baganda of Uganda believe that the placenta is actually a second child. Not only is it the double of the child, but the placenta also has its own spirit that resides in the umbilical cord. The part of the cord attached to the baby must be carefully preserved to ensure the good health of the child. If the child is of royal blood, the placenta itself is ritually preserved and carried in procession by a high-ranking official. This custom is remarkably similar to that of the Egyptians, although the Egyptians carried the placenta figuratively.
The ancient Egyptians believed in the duality of souls: one soul inhabited the body, and the other the placenta. The placenta even had its own hieroglyph, which looked like a cross section of a human placenta. In royal processions, a high-ranking officer carried a banner representing the afterbirth. This banner, or symbol, is depicted as an organ with two lobes, an umbilical cord, and backward-folded membranes. In certain ancient texts this symbol is even the correct color; dark brown with hints of red. Entire tombs may have been built to house the royal placentas of the pharaohs. Neter-Khet of the Third Dynasty built the step pyramid at Saggara, but his body is buried in Bet Khallaf. Menkau-Ra of the Fourth Dynasty built it, the smallest of the pyramids at Giza, but his body is entombed at Abu-Roash. Some experts interpret this to mean that the second tomb was created specifically for the afterbirth.
It is clear that the placenta has held a place of honor throughout our history. Perhaps we should acknowledge the wisdom of the ancients and see that the placenta is more than just a messy placenta that is discarded and ignored in excitement and joy at the birth of a beautiful new child. A ritual of honor need not be elaborate; it could be as simple as looking over the placenta and silently thanking it for its role in bringing that beautiful baby to birth.
Other ritual ideas could be to bury the placenta and plant a tree in the same place. The placenta can be dried and ground, and the pellets can be blown into the wind in a place that was significant to you during your pregnancy. The umbilical cord can be removed and twisted into a heart or wreath, then dried completely, leaving you with a lasting keepsake to look back on this momentous moment in your life.
The placenta serves an important and sacred purpose in fostering a new life. I think it’s important to see our bodies for the beautiful and magical beings that they are. Let us honor that perfection of Nature in a meaningful way.