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Clivedurdle · 05-13-2006, 02:42 AM

http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/warrencup/index.html

British Museum has an exhibition Sex and Society in Ancient Greece and Rome.

A radio discussion commented that images of the phallus were commonly used to ward off evil spirits in Rome. They have a wind chime consisting of phali (SP?) some with wings!

As all good dracula fans know, the cross also is used to ward off evil spirits!

Has the cross been seen as a formalisation of the phallus?

Magdlyn · 05-13-2006, 03:27 AM

Well, here is my take on it. It seems the obelisk, not the cross, is an obvious phallic symbol.

The ankh appears to be a symbol based upon the entire human form, not just the genitalia.

The Roman cross was a popular torture device, carried and honored in later yrs as a fetishistic symbol of the suffering of the founder of the Christian religion, which valued martyrs.

I do not think the early Christians would honor the cross as a phallic symbol, as sex was seen as rather taboo and virginity and chasteness was the ideal. As, sadly, it still is today in many sects. The horror and shame associated with the body and sex was reflected in the story of Adam and Eve and elsewhere in the scriptures. The circumcision can be seen as a hatred of the penis in its natural state and an attempt to modify and decrease its natural use.

The Greeks and Romans, of course, did not circumcise and honored the naked human form.

Ratel · 05-13-2006, 08:51 AM

I recall seeing a picture of a cross composed of phalli (sp?) from early Medieval Germany, used as a good luck charm. Of course I doubt such things were approved by the church! I will try to dig up the picture if I can.

EDIT:

I figured out where I saw it- it's from a 19th century text, so consider the source:

The chapter:
http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/wgp/wgp07.htm#img_pl11

The plate: http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/wgp/img/pl11.jpg
(i'm referring to the lower left hand illustration)

There are also several of 19th century texts speculating on phallic religion and certain influences on Christianity. I'm sure the scholars on this site will be able to provide us with more up-to0date information, though. http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/index.htm

05-13-2006, 02:42 AM	#1
Clivedurdle Contributor Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: London UK Posts: 16,024	The Phallus and the Cross http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/warrencup/index.html British Museum has an exhibition Sex and Society in Ancient Greece and Rome. A radio discussion commented that images of the phallus were commonly used to ward off evil spirits in Rome. They have a wind chime consisting of phali (SP?) some with wings! As all good dracula fans know, the cross also is used to ward off evil spirits! Has the cross been seen as a formalisation of the phallus?

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05-13-2006, 03:27 AM	#2
Magdlyn Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 2,230	Well, here is my take on it. It seems the obelisk, not the cross, is an obvious phallic symbol. The ankh appears to be a symbol based upon the entire human form, not just the genitalia. The Roman cross was a popular torture device, carried and honored in later yrs as a fetishistic symbol of the suffering of the founder of the Christian religion, which valued martyrs. I do not think the early Christians would honor the cross as a phallic symbol, as sex was seen as rather taboo and virginity and chasteness was the ideal. As, sadly, it still is today in many sects. The horror and shame associated with the body and sex was reflected in the story of Adam and Eve and elsewhere in the scriptures. The circumcision can be seen as a hatred of the penis in its natural state and an attempt to modify and decrease its natural use. The Greeks and Romans, of course, did not circumcise and honored the naked human form.

05-13-2006, 08:51 AM	#3
Ratel Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: SD, USA Posts: 268	I recall seeing a picture of a cross composed of phalli (sp?) from early Medieval Germany, used as a good luck charm. Of course I doubt such things were approved by the church! I will try to dig up the picture if I can. EDIT: I figured out where I saw it- it's from a 19th century text, so consider the source: The chapter: http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/wgp/wgp07.htm#img_pl11 The plate: http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/wgp/img/pl11.jpg (i'm referring to the lower left hand illustration) There are also several of 19th century texts speculating on phallic religion and certain influences on Christianity. I'm sure the scholars on this site will be able to provide us with more up-to0date information, though. http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/index.htm

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