Volume 220 Issue 7, 8 April 2016
'TOOTH FAIRY' TRADITIONS SERIES: THE WARRIOR
The cover series for volume 220 of the British Dental Journal features original paintings by English artist Thomas Allen which explore the many different tooth fairy traditions around the world.
The cover of this issue represents the tradition in Tajikistan where children sow their teeth in fields in the belief that those teeth will grow into warriors. There is a related tradition among Aboriginal Australians whereby they put the tooth inside the shoot of a pandanus plant so that when the pandanus grows into a tree, their tooth will also grow. But, similar to the protective warriors in Tajikistan, protective spirits are believed to reside in the leaves of the pandanus plant and they will look after the child while their new tooth is growing.
Painting by Thomas Allen
Website: www.thomasallen.uk.com
The original paintings are available to purchase from the artist.
Editorial
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