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

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

A wide-ranging comparative study of magic, myth, and religion that traces recurring rituals and beliefs across cultures, arguing that magical practice often precedes organized religion and that rites of kingship, fertility ceremonies, and dying-and-reviving deity motifs reflect human attempts to secure cosmic order. The work collects ethnographic examples and classical sources, analyzes taboo, sacrifice, and initiation, and proposes interpretive frameworks linking ritual action to social and psychological functions. Extensive notes, references, and an expanded bibliography and index support the argument and guide further research.

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.