The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 04 of 12)

Name: The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 04 of 12)
Author: James George Frazer

By James George Frazer

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Archaeology & Anthropology Mythology, Legends & Folklore Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

The volume examines ancient and folk rituals in which human representatives of deity, often kings or seasonal figures, are killed or ritually sacrificed to secure cosmic order and vegetation renewal. The author argues that fear of a weakening sacred body prompted violent replacements: fixed tenures, mock or temporary kings, and the killing of a tree-spirit and other symbolic deaths recur across cultures. Chapters survey variants—annual, triennial, octennial rites; funeral games; mock human sacrifices; carnival burials; and spring revival ceremonies—tracing beliefs about succession of the soul, supply of kings, and magical springs that link human fate to seasonal cycles.

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.