WATER AS A SYMBOL IN WATER AS A SYMBOL IN DIFFEREN DIFFEREN T T RELIGIONS RELIGIONS Water, you are the origin of every single thing and all that exists. Water, you are the origin of every single thing and all that exists. (Bhawiśjottarapurana 1,14) (Bhawiśjottarapurana 1,14) Thales of Miletus believed, that water is the very Thales of Miletus believed, that water is the very beginning of everything. The statements of this beginning of everything. The statements of this greek philosopher, who lived at the turn of the greek philosopher, who lived at the turn of the 7th and 6th century BC, seem to confirm some of 7th and 6th century BC, seem to confirm some of the earliest myths and beliefs. the earliest myths and beliefs. One of the oldest myths is the one about the Flood. One of the oldest myths is the one about the Flood. First it occurred in the Sumarian civilisation, First it occurred in the Sumarian civilisation, next in Egyptian and Chinese legends and finally next in Egyptian and Chinese legends and finally in the Old Testament. It reflects the human's fear in the Old Testament. It reflects the human's fear of water. For the Jews, and later also for of water. For the Jews, and later also for Christians, water becomes an instruments of the Christians, water becomes an instruments of the divine justice, as well as a symbol of destruction divine justice, as well as a symbol of destruction and catharsis. and catharsis.
Transcript
WATER AS A SYMBOL IN WATER AS A SYMBOL IN DIFFERENDIFFERENTT RELIGIONSRELIGIONS
Water, you are the origin of every single thing and all that Water, you are the origin of every single thing and all that exists.exists.(Bhawiśjottarapurana 1,14)(Bhawiśjottarapurana 1,14)
Thales of Miletus believed, that water is the very beginning of Thales of Miletus believed, that water is the very beginning of
everything. The statements of this greek philosopher, who everything. The statements of this greek philosopher, who lived at the turn of the 7th and 6th century BC, seem to lived at the turn of the 7th and 6th century BC, seem to
confirm some of the earliest myths and beliefs. confirm some of the earliest myths and beliefs. One of the oldest myths is the one about the Flood. First it One of the oldest myths is the one about the Flood. First it
occurred in the Sumarian civilisation, next in Egyptian and occurred in the Sumarian civilisation, next in Egyptian and Chinese legends and finally in the Old Testament. It reflects Chinese legends and finally in the Old Testament. It reflects the human's fear of water. For the Jews, and later also for the human's fear of water. For the Jews, and later also for Christians, water becomes an instruments of the divine Christians, water becomes an instruments of the divine
justice, as well as a symbol of destruction and catharsis. justice, as well as a symbol of destruction and catharsis.
Michelangelo – Sistine Chapel, The Michelangelo – Sistine Chapel, The Great FloodGreat Flood
In the Scandinavian mythology, the gods killed their pre-father to create all the water In the Scandinavian mythology, the gods killed their pre-father to create all the water reservoirs on the earth from his blood. However, the huge amount of this liquid, reservoirs on the earth from his blood. However, the huge amount of this liquid,
called called the cold water, the cold water, causes a great flood. The faults – both that of human beings causes a great flood. The faults – both that of human beings and gods – are being punished by the mighty element of water, which washes all and gods – are being punished by the mighty element of water, which washes all
the evil away. the evil away.
Scandinavian mythology - John Bauer - Scandinavian mythology - John Bauer - „Gods of the elements”„Gods of the elements”
In the Judaistic (Mikveh), Christian (Baptism), Muslim (Wudu and In the Judaistic (Mikveh), Christian (Baptism), Muslim (Wudu and Ghusl) or Hindu (Abhisheka) tradition, water is a sumbol of Ghusl) or Hindu (Abhisheka) tradition, water is a sumbol of
purification of the body and soul.purification of the body and soul.
Ablution in Ganges. [Globtroter.pl]Ablution in Ganges. [Globtroter.pl]
WATER SYMBOLIZES: WATER SYMBOLIZES:
cosmogonycosmogony::
-Book of Genesis: in the beginning the Holy spirit has been -Book of Genesis: in the beginning the Holy spirit has been hovering above the water,hovering above the water,
-the cosmic egg floating on the water,-the cosmic egg floating on the water,
-Oceanus: the ocean-stream, on which floats the Ecumene-Oceanus: the ocean-stream, on which floats the Ecumene
source of life, resurrection:source of life, resurrection:
-everything that is alive needs water,-everything that is alive needs water,
-water is constantly in motion, is unmeasurable and uncontrolable, -water is constantly in motion, is unmeasurable and uncontrolable, it evaporates and comes back to the ground, as a refreshing rain it evaporates and comes back to the ground, as a refreshing rain or a destructive hail;or a destructive hail;
purificationpurification::
-baptism: washes the original sin away;-baptism: washes the original sin away;
-sprinkling with the sacred water,-sprinkling with the sacred water,
-ablution, the ritual purification,-ablution, the ritual purification,
- hailstorm, cloudburst, flood, waves during a storm, - hailstorm, cloudburst, flood, waves during a storm, oberwanie chmury, powódź, potop, fale w czasie burzy, oberwanie chmury, powódź, potop, fale w czasie burzy, tsunami,tsunami,
