Re: beam, as in weavers beam

--- In cybalist@yahoogroups.com, Max Dashu wrote:

> I'm wondering about the etymology of the word "beam" in the
> phrase "weaver's beam."
>
> There are beams in looms, but they are big heavy logs. As per the
> etymological dictionary online: "Old English beam
> originally "living tree," but by late 10c. also "rafter, post,
> ship's timber," from West Germanic *baumaz (cf. Old Frisian
> bam "tree, gallows, beam," Middle Dutch boom, Old High German boum,
> German Baum "tree"), perhaps from PIE verb root *bheue- "to grow"
> (see be)."
>
> In Irish and Mexican studies, there are reference to the weaver's
> beam being held ceremonially (Fedelm in the Táin, while
> prophesying) and indications in Zapotec burials, Aztec codexes,
> of it being a ritual tool of sorts. These clearly aren't beams
> as in logs, but apparently weavers' tools assigned spiritual
> potency and significance.
>
> Any linguistic insights?

Etymologically, the expression "weaver's beam" may be Common Germanic:

Old English webbeám

Old High German weppiboum

FB