The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 03 of 12)

Name: The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 03 of 12)
Author: James George Frazer

By James George Frazer

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Archaeology & Anthropology Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

This study examines the rules and effects of taboo as applied to sacred persons and social life, focusing on royal and priestly restrictions and the vulnerabilities that attend the human soul. It surveys beliefs about the soul’s absence, return, and representations as a miniature being, shadow, or reflection, and catalogs prohibitions on acts, foods, movement, hair and personal names, and objects such as iron and weapons. Ethnographic examples illustrate ritual practices surrounding mourning, childbirth, kingship, and name avoidance, and the chapter links these prohibitions to wider moral, political, and religious functions.

About the Author

James George Frazer

James George Frazer was a Scottish social anthropologist and folklorist, best known for his seminal work, "The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion." This extensive study explores the connections between mythology, religion, and magic across various cultures, influencing the fields of anthropology and religious studies. Frazer's scholarship delves into themes such as the belief in immortality and the worship of the dead, as seen in his works like "The Belief in Immortality and the Worship of the Dead." His contributions have left a lasting impact on the understanding of cultural practices and the evolution of human thought.