DOC Portable Personal Possessions (Artifacts of the Spanish Colonies of Florida and the Caribbean; 1500-1800 - Volume 2) by Kathleen A. Deagan in History

Description

A Discourse on the Worship of Priapus contains an area of human experience that has long remained forbidden territory: sexual symbolism. Of all the rites which belonged to ancient polytheism; none were more furiously inveighed against by the zealous propagators of the Christian faith than the obscene ceremonies performed in the worship of Priapus; the god of procreation. Even the form itself; under which the god was represented; appeared to them a mockery of all piety and devotion. Richard Knight hoped to discover the meaning of the widespread practice of phallic worship in the ancient world; and what relationship this might have to the theology of the ancients. He commenced with no theories; but was content to follow the facts wherever they might lead. Knight discovered that the forms and ceremonies of a religion are not always to be understood in their direct and obvious sense; but are to be considered as symbolic representations of some hidden meaning; which may be extremely wise and just. Such is the case with the rites and symbolic representation now under consideration; nothing of which could be more monstrous and indecent if considered in their plain and obvious meaning; but which will be found to be a very natural symbol of a very natural and philosophical system of religion if considered according to their original use and intention.