Next to depictions of animals, which were found either engraved or painted in caves and rock spurs, there are a number of different recurrent signs and symbols, that suggest a certain meaning for the human being of the Upper Paleolithic. The vulvae signs form part of these symbolic engravings. Such were found on a free-standing ledge in La Ferrassie in Dordogne of southwest France. The depiction shows a clearly engraved navel and underneath it a triangle; from its lower side a vertical line leads upwards. This is doubtlessly a representation of a vulva and its pudental cleft or vaginal canal. While we can only speculate about the meaning of such depictions, it is certain that they played a central role. Siegfrid Vierzig[1] assumes that the engravings didn't serve as sexual symbols but rather as „the symbol for the womb giving new life"[2]. He extends his thoughts further insofar as he discovers that there are only depictions of vulvae instead of phallic symbols in this location. This fact shows that it must be a symbol of regeneration[3]. The term „regeneratio" comes from Latin and means to come into being. Women are regarded as life-givers, who can receive and spend life. This ability is central for securing the continued existence of mankind and might have been valued as essential in those times. Another important fact is that the engravings weren't meant as a fertility symbol in the sense of numerous offsprings, since this was not aimed for at the time but they rather signified the importance of woman, and the vagina as life-giving.

(Translation: C. Wilhelm)