The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2)

Name: The Golden Bough: A Study in Comparative Religion (Vol. 2 of 2)
Author: James George Frazer

By James George Frazer

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Archaeology & Anthropology Mythology, Legends & Folklore Religion/Spirituality

About This Book

The work surveys comparative religion and folklore related to vegetation deities and seasonal rites, tracing beliefs about a corn-spirit often embodied in animals and represented by the last sheaf whose capture or death dramatizes the harvest. It catalogs regional harvest customs, puppets, and name-giving practices, and links these rites to myths of dying-and-reborn gods such as Attis, Adonis, Osiris, Dionysus, Demeter, and Balder. It examines motifs of the golden-branch and the external soul in folk-tales and ritual, and analyzes scapegoat and transference practices used to expel evil or secure fertility. Concluding notes discuss offerings of first fruits and the thematic unity of these rites.

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.