Sacred Symbols

This book is an inspirational exploration of the signs and symbols of a wealth of global cultures from ancient times to present day.

This fascinating guide to the history and mythology of woman-related symbols features: Unique organization by shape of symbol or type of sacred object 21 different sections including Round and Oval Motifs, Sacred Objects, Secular-Sacred Objects, Rituals, Deities' Signs, Supernaturals, Body Parts, Nature, Birds, Plants, Minerals, Stones and Shells, and more Introductory essays for each section 753 entries and 636 illustrations Alphabetical index for easy reference Three-Rayed Sun The sun suspended in heaven by three powers, perhaps the Triple Goddess who gave birth to it (see Three-Way Motifs). Corn Dolly An embodiment of the harvest to be set in the center of the harvest dance, or fed to the cattle to `make them thrive year round' (see Secular-Sacred Objects). Tongue In Asia, the extended tongue was a sign of life-force as the tongue between the lips imitated the sacred lingam-yoni: male within female genital. Sticking out the tongue is still a polite sign of greeting in northern India and Tibet (see Body Parts). Cosmic Egg In ancient times the primeval universe-or the Great Mother-took the form of an egg. It carried all numbers and letters within an ellipse, to show that everything is contained within one form at the beginning (see Round and Oval Motifs).

I wish particularly to point out in the present volume that I am not giving the meanings of symbols in the vestments in which they are now garbed. I am giving their origin and original meanings. Up to the time of Mu's submersion all symbols retained their original meanings. From the time of Mu's destruction I must pass over about 5,000 or 6,000 years. Those were years when seemingly no history was written except a few scraps in India and Egypt. During this time mankind apparently was reviving and repeopling the earth, after its almost total destruction by the submersion of Mu and other lands and the subsequent formation of gas belts and mountains. On entering Egypt 6,000 years ago we find that many of the original symbols had survived but were very much Egyptianized, especially in pattern or design, with an incomprehensible theology attached to them. A multitude of new ones had besides been added, most of them having esoteric or hidden meanings. This confusion increased when Upper and Lower Egypt merged into one kingdom. The two peoples not only commingled personally, but also their two sets of symbols. Thus two sets were made into one without any being discarded. It meant at least two symbols for every conception. So great was the confusion of symbols in Egypt, 4,000 to 5,000 years ago, that hardly one-half of the priesthood understood those used in the temples of other cities, although they might be but a few miles away.

Throughout history, symbols have formed and shaped our mental and emotional states, and influenced our behavior. Robert Adkinson's compendium of religious, philosophical, and cultural emblems from a variety of contexts reveals the universal power of these elemental images, bridging the gap between languages and civilizations all over the world. With illuminating commentary, Adkinson positions each image within its cultural context, from the early societies of the Egyptians, the Celts and the Maya, who used visual metaphors to explain natural phenomena and illustrate concepts of good and evil, to the iconography of Buddhism, Taoism, and Christianity as found in art and architecture, concluding with the complex spiritual puzzles of the mandala, sacred sex, and the Tarot.

Occultist James Churchward was obsessed with the lost continent of Mu, home to the original human civilization, after learning of this mysterious and forgotten paradise from an Indian priest, who shared several ancient tablets written by the Naacals, the inhabitants of Mu. Or so Churchward claimed.Here, in this work first published in 1933, Churchward discusses his contention that all religions from across Earth share a common origin in Mu. In particular, he explores how symbols of Mu-gleaned, supposedly, from the ancient tablets-bear startling resemblances to everything from the Egyptian ankh and Chinese pictograms to Native American calendar glyphs.The reality of Mu aside, students of comparative mythology and fans of esoterica will find this a fascinating book.British inventor, engineer, and author COLONEL JAMES CHURCHWARD (1851-1936), the elder brother of mystic author Albert Churchward, also wrote The Lost Continent of Mu Motherland of Man (1926), The Children of Mu (1931), The Lost Continent of Mu (1931), Cosmic Forces of Mu (1934), and Second Book of Cosmic Forces of Mu (1935).

This work focuses on processes of articulating identity. The notions of "shared idioms" and "sacred symbols" shaping this volume suggest both a search for common ground and boundary-drawing processes. Individual chapters locate "sites" of these modes and the conditions that engender them, problematizing the truth-claims of unitary markers of identity.