The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 11 of 12)

Name: The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion (Third Edition, Vol. 11 of 12)
Author: James George Frazer

By James George Frazer

Open in WeRead

Explore more books like this:

Archaeology & Anthropology Mythology, Legends & Folklore Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

The work surveys fire-centered festivals across cultures, detailing fire-walks, bonfires, the burning of effigies and occasional human or animal immolation, and interprets these rites as means of purification and seasonal or solar renewal. It investigates midsummer plant magic and divinatory uses of flowers and mistletoe, and reconstructs a Balder-like cycle connected with sacred vegetation. It traces the motif of an external soul in folktales and customs where life is hidden in objects, plants, or creatures, and links these beliefs to rituals of death and resurrection. Comparative reflections on totemism and sacred bough rites conclude the study.

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.