Wood carvers have long drawn inspiration from mythology and folklore, embedding rich symbolic meanings into their sculptures. By studying ancient tales and cultural traditions, they transform ordinary wood into powerful narratives. For instance, Celtic carvings often feature intricate knotwork symbolizing eternity, while Norse artists depict dragons and wolves as protectors or omens.

In Asian traditions, carvers use motifs like the phoenix for rebirth or the dragon for strength, carefully selecting woods like sandalwood or cedar to enhance spiritual resonance. African folklore sculptures frequently represent ancestral spirits through abstract human forms, with each curve and texture holding communal significance.

Modern carvers blend these timeless symbols with contemporary techniques, ensuring folklore’s survival in art. Whether carving a Greek god’s likeness or a Native American trickster figure, the artist’s chisel becomes a bridge between myth and reality, inviting viewers to decode layers of cultural wisdom.