or churinga
In native Australian religion , a ritual object that is a representation or manifestation of a mythical being.
They are symbols of communication between humans and the Dreaming . Most tjurunga are used in men's secret and sacred rituals, though some small objects figure in women's rituals and still smaller objects in men's love magic. At initiation, a boy is introduced to the rituals and tjurunga of his local descent group. Later, he receives his own tjurunga, with which he has a personal bond. At a person's death, the tjurunga is sometimes buried with the corpse.