Apotropaic magic
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Apotropaic magic (from Greek αποτρέπειν "to ward off") or protective magic is a type of
Symbols and objects
Ancient Egypt
Apotropaic magical rituals were practiced throughout the
Objects were often used in these rituals in order to facilitate communication with the gods. One of the most commonly found magical objects, the ivory apotropaic
Likewise, protective amulets bearing the likenesses of
Ancient Greece
The
Another way for protection from enchantment used by the ancient Greeks was by spitting into the folds of the clothes.[9]
Ancient Greeks also had an old custom of dressing boys as girls in order to avert the evil eye.[10]
Crosses
In Ireland, it is customary on St Brigid's Day to weave a Brigid's cross from rushes, which is hung over doors and windows to protect the household from fire, lightning, illness and evil spirits.[11] In southern Ireland, it was formerly the custom at Samhain to weave a cross of sticks and straw called a 'parshell' or 'parshall', which was fixed over the doorway to ward off bad luck, illness, and witchcraft.[12]
Eyes
Faces
Among the ancient Greeks, the most widely used image intended to avert evil was that of the
Dreamcatchers
In some Native American cultures, a dreamcatcher made of yarn like a web is placed above a bed or sleeping area to protect sleeping children from nightmares.[citation needed]
Others
Items and symbols such as crosses, crucifixes, silver bullets, wild roses and garlic were believed to ward off or destroy vampires.
In
In Europe, apotropaic figureheads carved onto the prow of sailing ships are considered to have been a replacement for the sacrifice of a thrall during the Age of Invasions by Saxon and Viking sailors, to avoid bad luck on the voyage. Dredging the Thames under London Bridge led to the discovery of a large number of bent and broken knives, daggers, swords and coins, from the modern period and dating back to Celtic times. This custom seems to have been to avoid bad luck, particularly when setting off on a voyage. Similarly, the burial of an old boot or shoe by the lintel of the back door of a house seems to have had a similar intention.[citation needed]
In Ireland and Great Britain, magpies are traditionally thought to bring bad luck. Many people repeated various rhymes or salutations to placate them.[a]
Apotropaic marks such as the initials of the
Rituals and actions
Charms
Hand gestures
Spitting on clothes
Ancient Greeks and Romans used to spit into the folds of clothes as a way of protection from enchantment.[9]
Dressing boys as girls
Ancient Greeks also had an old custom of dressing boys as girls in order to avert the evil eye. Achilles is said to have been dressed in his youth as a girl at the court of Lycomedes, king of Scyros in order to avert the evil eye.[31]
Fire rituals
Fire was used in rituals of protection in many parts of Europe up to the early modern era. The
Also in Ireland and Scotland, bonfires were lit for the festivals
Magic circle
A magic circle is a circle of space marked out by practitioners of some branches of
Apotropaic names
Ashkenazi Jews' apotropaic names were often given not at birth but during serious illness. In the case of a family who had already lost a child, the parents may name the next child Alter and Alte (both meaning "old" in Yiddish)[35] in an effort to confuse the Angel of Death.[36] Another example is Nekras (Некрас, "not handsome" in Russian) which was given with the hope the child would be handsome.[37]
Among
Historical Chinese given names sometimes had apotropaic meanings, such as in the case of Huo Qubing (霍 去病, "Qubing" meaning "away with illness"), or Xin Qiji (辛 棄疾, "Qiji" meaning "abandoning disease"). Some traditional Taiwanese names referenced domestic animals such as "buffalo" (水牛) and "dog" (狗, 犬), or humble elements of the landscape such as "soil" and "water" (土, 水). They conveyed contentment with a peaceful and low-profile life.[citation needed]
See also
- Anasyrma
- Azusa yumi
- Exorcism
- Eyespot (mimicry)
- Hama yumi
- Hamsa
- Hoko (doll)
- Jack-o'-lantern
- Mezuzah
- Noa-name – Word used instead of a taboo or dangerous word
- Ofuda
- Painted pebbles
- Pazuzu
- Peijainen
- Singa (mythology)
- Skandola
- Sympathetic magic
- Taper burn mark
Explanatory notes
References
- ^ Robert Ritner (1988). The Mechanics of Ancient Egyptian Magical Practice. Chicago: The Oriental Institute of Chicago, 14-28.
- ^ James F. Romano (1978), The Origin of Aha (also called Bes). New York: College Art Association, 1978.
- ^ Hartwig Atlenmüller (1965). Die Apotopaia und Die Götter Mittelägyptens. Munich: Ludwig-Maximilians University.
- ISBN 978-0415248747.
- ISBN 978-3161551321.
- ^ Gilleland, Michael, ed. (26 June 2008). "Averters of Evil". Translated by Jones, W.H.S. Archived from the original on 15 June 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2010.
Hippocrates, Regimen 4.89: So with this knowledge about the heavenly bodies, precautions must be taken, with change of regimen and prayers to the gods; in the case of good signs, to the Sun, to Heavenly Zeus, to Zeus, Protector of Home, to Athena, Protectress of Home, to Hermes and to Apollo; in the case of adverse signs, to the Averters of evil [apotropaioi], to Earth and to the Heroes, that all dangers may be averted.
Pausanias 2.11.1 (Corinth): Before the altar, a barrow has been raised for Epopeus himself, and near the grave are the gods Averters of evil [apotropaioi]. Near them, the Greeks perform such rites as they are wont to do in order to avert misfortunes (πρὸ τοῦ βωμοῦ δὲ αὐτῷ μνῆμα Ἐπωπεῖ κέχωσται, καὶ τοῦ τάφου πλησίον εἰσὶν Ἀποτρόπαιοι θεοί: παρὰ τούτοις δρῶσιν ὅσα Ἕλληνες ἐς ἀποτροπὴν κακῶν νομίζουσιν.){{cite web}}
: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) - ISBN 978-0415248747.
- ISBN 9780299133344.
- ^ a b c d A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities (1890), Fascinum
- ^ Apollodorus, Library, note 10
- ^ Danaher, Kevin. The Year in Ireland: Irish Calendar Customs. Mercier Press, 1972. pp.22-25
- ^ Danaher, Kevin. The Year in Ireland: Irish Calendar Customs. Mercier Press, 1972. pp. 207–208
- ^ Hildburgh, Walter Leo (1946), Apotropaism in Greek vase-paintings
- ^ "apotropaic eye (art)". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 22 March 2014.
- ^ "knock on wood". Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary. Retrieved 16 December 2020.
- ^ Harrison, pp 196ff.
- ^ Harrison, pp 187ff "The Ker as Gorgon".
- ISBN 978-1-61069-622-7. Retrieved 11 May 2018.
- ISBN 0-300-08445-5.
- ^ "Bhutan's phalluses ward off evil". BBC News. 25 March 2005. Archived from the original on 13 December 2009. Retrieved 1 January 2010.
- ISBN 978-3796546075.)
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link - ^ Hoggard, Brian (2004). "The archaeology of counter-witchcraft and popular magic", in Beyond the Witch Trials: Witchcraft and Magic in Enlightenment Europe, Manchester University Press. p.167
- ^ "Artifact". Archaeology Magazine. November/December 2016. Page 68.
- ^ a b c d e Kennedy, Maev (31 October 2016). "Witches' marks: public asked to seek ancient scratchings in buildings". The Guardian. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ antlassco (29 October 2013). "Here be Witchcraft - LASSCO - England's prime resource for Architectural Antiques, Salvage Curiosities". LASSCO. Retrieved 11 March 2024.
- ^ Wright, James (19 October 2015). "Ritual Protection Marks and Witchcraft at Knole, Kent". Gresham College.
- ^ Kennedy, Maev (5 November 2014). "Witch marks fit for a king beguile archaeologists at Knole". The Guardian. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Tower of London staff 'used magic to repel the forces of the Devil'". The Independent. 16 October 2015. Archived from the original on 8 May 2022. Retrieved 31 October 2016.
- ^ "Cresswell Crags: Witches Marks Found In Cave Network". 15 February 2019.
- ^ John R. Clarke (2003), Art in the Lives of Ordinary Romans
- ^ Apollodorus, Library, note 10
- ^ Frazer, James George (1922). The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. Chapter 62, Section 8: The Need-fire. Internet Sacred Text Archive.
- ^ Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996. pp.218–225
- ^ Hutton, Ronald. The Stations of the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in Britain. Oxford University Press, 1996. pp.365–369
- ISBN 978-0-19-105981-0.
- ^ Joseph, Jacobs (1908). The Jewish Encyclopedia. Retrieved 24 December 2022.
- ISBN 978-1-886223-43-1.
- ^ Grković, Milica (1977). Rečnik ličnih imena kod Srba. Belgrade: Vuk Karadžić.
Further reading
- Frazer, Sir James, The Golden Bough,
- Graves, Robert, The White Goddess,
- Prolegomena to the Study of Greek Religion
- Roud, Steve (2004). A Pocket Guide to Superstitions of the British Isles. London: Penguin. ISBN 0-14-051549-6.
External links
- The Golden Bough: on-line text, 1922 abridged edition
- Sue Dewsbury, "Folk Plays – January 2004 – Coleby Plough Jag" Archived 3 November 2013 at the Wayback Machine, photos of Mummers, Traditional Drama Research Group
- Apotropaic protection at Kilbirnie Place castle keep, North Ayrshire, Scotland.