Phallic Worship in the World

Phallic Worship in the world

    No matter which part of the world we go to, we will find the natives nurturing certain beliefs and superstitions. One such astonishing belief is phallic worship. Phallic worship is the worship of reproductive powers of nature as indicated by the male reproductive organ. It seems curious that in several religions of the world, from the past thousand years, phallic symbols and sexual rituals have played an important role.

Many archaeologists have found phallic symbols all over the world, and they are mostly interpreted as an expression of human desire for reproduction. Phallic worship was carried on countries like Greece, India, Bhutan, Egypt, Rome, etc. Sexual symbols were adorned as the most sacred objects.

In Rome, the most vital form of phallic worship was that of the cult of Cybele (mother goddess of Rome) and Attis (lover of Cybele) which was quite prominent during the reign. This cult was known for its festive excesses where participants wounded themselves with daggers, self-inflicted castration (removal of testicles), a prerequisite for admission into the priest caste of this phallic sect, took place in this festival. They also wore phallic jewellery as talismans to get rid of the evil. During spring, they carried the phallus across the fields, to insure fertility.

When Tshongpa Sonam of Bhutan purchased his first truck, he pasted pictures of elaborately drawn phalluses on the number plate of the truck. Farmer Dorji Gyeltshen carved a wooden phallus when his cow gave birth to a calf. In eastern Bhutan, farmers hang a wooden phallus in the field when crops begin to sprout. During Tshesu (a festival in Bhutan), the Atsaras clown figures who entertain the crowds at Tshechu) wear a phallus made of cloth as a part of their head gear.

Inauguration of a new house is also a sort of phallic ritual whereby the owner declares the house. It is an elaborated ritual where four phalluses are placed on four lower edges of the roof facing in four directions and one inside the house. The five phalluses are then tied together and kept in a bamboo basket. Then a young and virgin girl leads a dancing and singing troupes carries the basket taking rounds of the house thrice. Later, groups of men and women are formed where women stand under the edges of the roof facing east whereas the men climb the roof. The basket is then tied in the middle of the rope and tug of war begins. The women pretend to pull it to the ground while the men pull it roof-ward. The common understanding here is that the basket will have to reach the end of the roof so that the phalluses can be hung on the edges. As the ritual is carried on, phallic songs are sung. Meanwhile the men pretend to lose the battle and the basket are pulled by the women. The owner of the house then serves is home-brewed spirit, to the men as they pretend to be tired. The spirit is supposed to energize the men and the pulling is resumed. When the phalluses reach the roof, they are placed on the edges. The phalluses also have a dagger tied to them which are painted in five different colours.

The above rituals show how phallus is an integral part of ceremonies and festivals observed by communities in Bhutan to ward off evil spirits and negativity.

The Egyptians related the cult of phallus with Osiris (Egyptian god).When Osiris died ,his body was cut in fourteen pieces and Seth (god of deserts) scattered them all over Egypt and Osiris’ wife gathered them all, except one, his penis which was swallowed by a fish. It was believed that Isis later made a wooden replacement. The phallus was a symbol of fertility and Min (god of fertility) is often depicted with an erect penis.

The phallus of the bull Apis was carried in procession during the festivals of Osiris by women. A great number of phallic jewellery has been found in Egyptian tombs.

In Greek mythology, Hermes, the messenger God is considered to be a phallic deity in association with depictions of him on pillars featuring a phallus.  Pan, son of Hermes was also depicted having an exaggerated phallus.

Priapus is the Greek God of fertility and is often depicted with an exaggerated penis. He is the son of Aphrodite and protector of livestock, gardens and male gentiles. The term priapism (a harmful and painful medical condition in which the erect penis does not return to its flaccid state) is originated from his name.

 Japan holds a grand event every year called the Shinto Penis Festival where participants pray to sexuality gods for protection against sexually transmitted diseases, family prosperity, easy delivery, harmony between married couples and marriages. These rituals can be dated back to a time when Buddhism did not exist in Japan.

    The phallus is the central theme of the events with images of phalluses in carved vegetables, candies and decorations. Half the people participating here are tourists who raise money for HIV research.  Fertility symbolism and phallic worship are common in Japan. There are a lot of shrines across the country.

    India, beyond all other countries is the home of phallic worship: Ling Puja. This adoration is considered to be one of the leading teachings of the Hindu religion. There are very few temples throughout the country which does not have its Lingam. The Linga may be described as a smooth, round, black stone rising out of another stone, formed like an elongated saucer. The outline of this saucer is called a Yoni or Argha and the upright stone (type of virile organ) is called the Linga. The whole thing bears the name of Lingioni. This depiction of union of sexes serves as a typical example of the sacred or active energy in union, the reproductive power seen throughout nature; the Earth being the yoni which is fertilized by the solar heat, the sun- the Lingam to whose rays all living things of the Earth owe their  continued existence. Thus, according to Hindus, Linga is God and God is Linga, the creator or generator. Lingas often have a Nandi bull carved either at the end of the Yoni or at the side of the emblem. The Hindus believe that the bull can intercept the evil which is emitted from the female sancti. Early in the morning around these emblems may be seen the girls who are anxious for husbands, sprinkling them with water from the Ganga, covering them with garlands of flowers, performing mudras or gestures with fingers while rubbing themselves against the emblem, reciting incantations and requesting the deity to make them fruitful mothers of children. This is called the Linga Puja. During the Puja, five lamps are lit and a bell is continuously rung to keep evil forces away. Lingam worship is positively known to have existed for more than 1500 years and it is estimated that about two third of all the Hindus practice it.

      St.Foutin (first bishop of Lyon) was usually represented with a large wooden penis. A shaving from this was made into a tea and was believed to cure barren ladies and have aphrodisiac effects on their husbands. Women would also kiss or sit on such objects. It was also speculated that in some ancient customs, new brides would give their maidenhood to the saint.

At Varailles in Provence (south-eastern region of France), the ceiling of the chapel dedicated to St.Foutin was covered with wax copies of both female and male gentiles. An eyewitness related that when the wind blew they caused a disturbing effect.

Maypole dances were also relics of phallic worship. In a Swedish custom that still exists, a long wooden pole is penetrated through the windows of rooms of newlywed couples to show a sympathetic influence of happenings in the room.

     Phallic worship, perhaps, still exists in a lot of other countries of the world. It seems to be one of the very bizarre rituals followed by people of various sects.

Rachaita Vyas