Hi /x/
I was watching Game of Thrones, and a couple of times, Catelyn Stark makes symbols out of branches herself, a bit like totems or ritual figures like the ones you see in photos.

They never explain what they are, or why she does it. It's quick, almost in the background, as if it were an ancient, instinctive, cultural gesture... but never developed in the series.

And where it gets strange is that I saw exactly the same kind of symbols again in another series: True Detective, season 1. There too, we see these constructions made of intertwined branches several times, often in the forest, near crime scenes.

So my questions are simple:
>What are these symbols?
>Where do they come from? >Is it inspired by real rites?
>Does it have a magical, spiritual, or psychic effect?
>And did ancient cultures actually use them?

I don't really have a great deal of knowledge in esotericism, but I'm sure it's not just a visual coincidence. It looks like something archaic, passed down unconsciously.

If anyone here can shed some light on this mystery, I'd love to hear it.

>>40656629 (OP)
I have no idea, but wicker man comes to mind.

boughs are essential to many worships and rituals
voodoo makes the dolls with sticks sometimes, fasces, rex nemorensis starts with a stick or branch but not a figure made from tho.
idk if the ones from tv and movies are exactly influneced by anything beyond "looks spooky" however i think they look so sppoky because they are like you said some sort of intrinsic expression of prayer or offering, an attempt at interaction with powers or beings who can influence things beyond ones own power.

>>40656629 (OP)
Seems related to witchcraft.
There are many different groups or "tribes" with their own symbols.

>>40656629 (OP)
With witchcraft, spells can be bound into sticks. They can be amulets, protections or curses, or influencing the nature in certain ways. Also they can mark a territory in metaphysical ways, like bringing spirits or demons to a place.