Sacrificial myths are ancient stories that explain why some things were destroyed so others can be created. Sacredness is a feeling of being connected to something greater than oneself, such as nature or God. Renewal is the act of making something new again after it has been damaged or lost. Erotic elements are aspects of sex, love, intimacy, or relationship that involve passion, sensuality, pleasure, or intensity. In sacrificial myths, erotic elements mediate the tension between destruction, renewal, and sacredness through symbolism, imagery, and metaphor.
Symbolism is the practice of using objects or events to represent something else.
The goddess Inanna's descent into the underworld represents her journey from life to death and back again. She is stripped naked and given up her clothing piece by piece until she becomes vulnerable and exposed. As she dies, she is reborn and made whole again. This symbolizes how sacrifice can lead to rebirth, which can bring a sense of sacredness to life.
Imagery is the use of descriptive language to create mental images in the reader's mind. In the story of Demeter and Persephone, Demeter mourns for her daughter when she is abducted by Hades and taken to the underworld. Her grief turns her winter into an eternal season of coldness and desolation. When Persephone returns, spring comes with her. Images of birth, growth, and fertility suggest the power of renewal and rebirth.
Metaphors compare two things without saying they are alike. The god Shiva dances in a ring of fire, which represents the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. He sings loudly as he destroys the world, creating chaos and then order from it. His dance suggests the cyclic nature of life and death. The destruction and regeneration of Shiva are intertwined with his sexuality.
Sacrificial myths show that erotic elements mediate between destruction and renewal. They remind us that life is precious and must be protected. By understanding these stories, we can appreciate the cycle of life more fully. Sacredness arises when we see ourselves as part of something greater than ourselves.
In sacrificial myths, how do erotic elements mediate the tension between destruction, renewal, and sacredness?
Sacrificial myths often include themes of death and rebirth, with characters dying but being reborn in some form, usually more powerful than before. The erotic element is present as an allusion to sexuality or fertility. This can be seen in stories like those of Inanna's descent into the underworld and rebirth after her lover Dumuzi dies for her.