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Cultural History in Brief
Worship of the phallus as a symbol of
creative energy has played an essential role within virtually every world culture. Strong
traditions of phallic art are evident throughout Egypt, Greece, India, and Northern
Europe. A wide range of art, myths, and cultural customs have been central to phallic
symbolism, dating at least as far back as the Neolithic era, following the end of the Ice
Age, about 8000 B.C.Symbolism: Since
earliest human prehistory, the image of the phallus has been considered a symbol of the
means by which the Supreme Being procreates the Universe. Some consider the worship of the
phallus to be at the origin of every religion, based upon belief that the phallus is the
image of the creator in mankind. Contempt, degradation, or debasement of this sacred
symbol is thought to provoke the anger of the gods, for the one who scorns the very symbol
of life is abandoning the human race to extinction.
Belief in Magical Attributes: Some say that the phallus possesses a magical power which is particularly effective against the evil eye. In Egypt as well as in the Greco-Roman world, the phallus was considered to have attributes to dispel dark and demonic forces.
Numerous references have been found in European literature regarding the belief that art-made phallic objects were felt to have magical powers, especially in averting all kinds of misfortunes.
In Imperial Rome, the phallus bestowed good luck while dissipating danger and driving away the forces seeking to do evil. The street corners in ancient Athens each had its cippus dedicated to Hermes. The cippus consisted of a square column topped with the god's head, on which were sculpted genital organs in erection, which passers-by would touch for luck.
In southern Italy, phallic boundary markers
can still be seen in the present day. Some of these are stone blocks or pillars from which
emerge a phallus, sometimes accompanied by a human head. In Roman times they were called
Hermes, Priapus, Liber, Tuttinus, or Mutinus.
In the countries of the Mediterranean, realistic and symbolic phallic emblems have often been planted in farm fields for luck and a fertilizing presence.
In India, the image of the phallus protects home and temple against the forces of lightening and other unexpected ill luck. A stone phallus is worshipped in every household, and large wooden ones are carried in holy processions.
These are a mere few of the many beliefs surrounding the worship of the phallus and its symbolism. Despite its persecution by some, the use of the phallus symbol in festivals, rites, and ceremonies are sometimes disguised, but are nevertheless present.
Books: Influence of the
Phallus
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