Here Eliade mainly gives examples of people who have been carried away by spirits, gods, etc. He concludes this chapter by re-stating the importance of the ascent to the sky. This appears to represent ancient times where communication between earth and heaven were more open and accessible to all. Shamans are privileged persons who are able to return to the fortunate condition of humanity at the dawn of time. A shaman approaches a costume with the same apprehension that one approaches anything inhabited by spirits.
Many new shamans acquire their costumes from the families of deceased shamans.
The basic Siberian costume has a caftan to which are attached many iron discs. The total weight varies from thirty to fifty pounds. On this coat are also metal bars that symbolize the skeleton. The discs are symbols of animals, the sun, the moon, etc. Usually in the center of the back is a disk with a hole in it, said to represent the passage a shaman follows to the underworld.