The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 05 of 12)

Name: The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 05 of 12)
Author: James George Frazer

By James George Frazer

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About This Book

This study analyzes three related ancient cults—Adonis, Attis, and Osiris—tracing their myths and rituals and exploring themes of dying-and-rising deities and seasonal vegetation symbolism. It examines sacred kingship and human representatives, rites of mourning and ritual burnings, volcanic and chthonic worship, garden and domestic cult practices, and beliefs about resurrection and the sacredness of stones and wooden stocks. Comparative evidence from literary, archaeological, and ethnographic sources is marshaled to map regional variations and to argue that physical environment shaped religious forms and ritual expression.

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.