What cultural rituals involve the creation or destruction of wrought iron figurative sculptures?

Wrought iron figurative sculptures have played a significant role in various cultural rituals worldwide, symbolizing both creation and destruction. In some African traditions, blacksmiths craft intricate iron figures as part of ancestral worship, believing the metal carries spiritual power. The Dogon people of Mali create iron masks and statues for ceremonial dances, later ritually dismantling them to release their energy.

In European folklore, the forging of iron crosses and protective figures was once a sacred act, while the deliberate bending or breaking of these items marked important life transitions. Japanese Shinto traditions include the crafting of iron torii gates and ritual objects, with some ceremonies involving their symbolic destruction to mark renewal.

Modern artists continue this tradition, with installations like Burning Man's large-scale iron sculptures that are ceremonially burned. These practices highlight iron's dual symbolism as a material of permanence and transformation across cultures.