Module und Lehrveranstaltungen - ELVIS - Universität Erfurt

Module und Lehrveranstaltungen im WS 2012 BA Rel F 01 # 02
BA Rel F 01 Europäische Polytheismen
9 LP
gültig für PO 2007-07-27 Fach/StR: H
BA Rel F 01 # 02
V. Gasparini
S-6
Fach/StR: N
The serpent in ancient religions
The serpent in ancient religions
WS 2012 1 05 0 039 ::39038:: •E•
[#] 6 LP
The archetypal symbol of the serpent accompanies the whole magical-religious path of humanity
along its whole history and represents, probably better than any other symbolization, the evolution
of the human psyche. The snake is the chthonic wet, symbol of the mother goddess, and is
therefore linked to water and intrinsically connected to the moon (and hence to the tides and the
menstrual flow) and, as such, distributes fecundity. It owns even a parallel phallic symbolism of
fertility and healing power, and, as a chthonic animal, is familiar with underworld, death, oracles
and prophecies. The uroborus is the symbol of the beginning, is the circle, the perfection, the
periodic regeneration and rejuvenation (through the shedding of the skin), the eternity. And finally
the serpent is the guardian of places (houses, sanctuaries, etc.) and persons (as genius). Thanks
to these very complex and ambivalent features, snakes are present everywhere, in every mythology
and religion. Using as a starting point archaeological evidence, ancient iconography and literary
sources, the seminar will analyze the role of serpents from Neolithic to Late Antiquity by a selection
of the most prominent case studies, combining (in a sort of oneiric journey) psychology, mythology
and history of religions.
The archetypal symbol of the serpent accompanies the whole magical-religious path of humanity
along its whole history and represents, probably better than any other symbolization, the evolution
of the human psyche. The snake is the chthonic wet, symbol of the mother goddess, and is
therefore linked to water and intrinsically connected to the moon (and hence to the tides and the
menstrual flow) and, as such, distributes fecundity. It owns even a parallel phallic symbolism of
fertility and healing power, and, as a chthonic animal, is familiar with underworld, death, oracles
and prophecies. The uroborus is the symbol of the beginning, is the circle, the perfection, the
periodic regeneration and rejuvenation (through the shedding of the skin), the eternity. And finally
the serpent is the guardian of places (houses, sanctuaries, etc.) and persons (as genius). Thanks
to these very complex and ambivalent features, snakes are present everywhere, in every mythology
and religion. Using as a starting point archaeological evidence, ancient iconography and literary
sources, the seminar will analyze the role of serpents from Neolithic to Late Antiquity by a selection
of the most prominent case studies, combining (in a sort of oneiric journey) psychology, mythology
and history of religions.
Literatur: [nicht festgelegt]
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