[stareatgoats]

PS: > How else would you carry statues around?

Many (most?) cultures that are not connected to the Mediterranean traditions don't carry statues of gods around at all.

[clarionbell]

Hindus do that. With carts and everything, and their connection to mediterrenean is pretty sparse. During Lunar new year people carry dragon effigy.

So that covers two other major civilization centers on this planet. What does that leave us with? Maybe some cultures in sub-saharan africa? But there's definitely some connection there. So Americas?

TLDR: Opposite is true, carrying symbols of your religion, either by hand or in a vehicle, is extremely widespread.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_car https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_dance