Ophiolatreia

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book Ophiolatreia by Unknown, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Unknown ISBN: 9781465573742
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Unknown
ISBN: 9781465573742
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
Ophiolatreia, the worship of the serpent, next to the adoration of the phallus, is one of the most remarkable, and, at first sight, unaccountable forms of religion the world has ever known. Until the true source from whence it sprang can be reached and understood, its nature will remain as mysterious as its universality, for what man could see in an object so repulsive and forbidding in its habits as this reptile, to render worship to, is one of the most difficult of problems to find a solution to. There is hardly a country of the ancient world, however, where it cannot be traced, pervading every known system of mythology, and leaving proofs of its existence and extent in the shape of monuments, temples, and earthworks of the most elaborate and curious character. Babylon, Persia, Hindostan, Ceylon, China, Japan, Burmah, Java, Arabia, Syria, Asia Minor, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Italy, Northern and Western Europe, Mexico, Peru, America---all yield abundant testimony to the same effect, and point to the common origin of Pagan systems wherever found. Whether the worship was the result of fear or respect is a question that naturally enough presents itself, and in seeking to answer it we shall be confronted with the fact that in some places, as Egypt, the symbol was that of a good demon, while in India, Scandinavia, and Mexico, it was that of an evil one. It has been remarked that in the warmer regions of the globe, where this creature is the most formidable enemy which man can encounter, the serpent should be considered the mythological attendant of an evil being is not surprising, but that in the frozen or temperate regions of the earth, where he dwindles into the insignificances of a reptile without power to create alarm, he should be regarded in the same appalling character, is a fact which cannot be accounted for by natural causes. Uniformity of tradition can alone satisfactorily explain uniformity of superstition, where local circumstances are so discordant.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Ophiolatreia, the worship of the serpent, next to the adoration of the phallus, is one of the most remarkable, and, at first sight, unaccountable forms of religion the world has ever known. Until the true source from whence it sprang can be reached and understood, its nature will remain as mysterious as its universality, for what man could see in an object so repulsive and forbidding in its habits as this reptile, to render worship to, is one of the most difficult of problems to find a solution to. There is hardly a country of the ancient world, however, where it cannot be traced, pervading every known system of mythology, and leaving proofs of its existence and extent in the shape of monuments, temples, and earthworks of the most elaborate and curious character. Babylon, Persia, Hindostan, Ceylon, China, Japan, Burmah, Java, Arabia, Syria, Asia Minor, Egypt, Ethiopia, Greece, Italy, Northern and Western Europe, Mexico, Peru, America---all yield abundant testimony to the same effect, and point to the common origin of Pagan systems wherever found. Whether the worship was the result of fear or respect is a question that naturally enough presents itself, and in seeking to answer it we shall be confronted with the fact that in some places, as Egypt, the symbol was that of a good demon, while in India, Scandinavia, and Mexico, it was that of an evil one. It has been remarked that in the warmer regions of the globe, where this creature is the most formidable enemy which man can encounter, the serpent should be considered the mythological attendant of an evil being is not surprising, but that in the frozen or temperate regions of the earth, where he dwindles into the insignificances of a reptile without power to create alarm, he should be regarded in the same appalling character, is a fact which cannot be accounted for by natural causes. Uniformity of tradition can alone satisfactorily explain uniformity of superstition, where local circumstances are so discordant.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book Vedânta-Sûtras: Part II by Unknown
Cover of the book Historic China and Other Sketches by Unknown
Cover of the book Bell's Cathedrals: The Cathedral Church of Gloucester, A Description of Its Fabric and A Brief History of the Espicopal See by Unknown
Cover of the book Commentaries on the Laws of England by Unknown
Cover of the book Quantity Cookery: Menu Planning and Cooking for Large Numbers by Unknown
Cover of the book The History of Nourjahad by Unknown
Cover of the book The Art of Politicks by Unknown
Cover of the book Tiranni minimi by Unknown
Cover of the book The Fisher Girl by Unknown
Cover of the book Early Australian Voyages: Pelsart, Tasman, Dampier by Unknown
Cover of the book The American Cyclops, the Hero of New Orleans and Spoiler of Silver Spoons by Unknown
Cover of the book The Sufi Message of Hazrat Murshid Inayat Khan: The Sufi Teachings by Unknown
Cover of the book The Sisters of Lady Jane Grey and Their Wicked Grandfather: Being the True Stories of the Strange Lives of Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and the Ladies Katherine and Mary Grey, Sisters by Unknown
Cover of the book The Passion of St. Symphorosa and Her Seven Sons by Unknown
Cover of the book The Celibates by Unknown
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy