Symbol

A symbol has deeply meaningful "echoes."

St. Teresa: Intense compassion and sorrow at the sight of a statue of Christ being scourged

A symbol unites truths with powerful representations.

What were the echoes for St. Teresa?

 

 

A symbol condenses some reality so people can grasp some aspect of the transcendent reality and participate in its symbolic form.

A statue of the Buddha

Invites the viewer to attain Nirvana

A Buddhist is inspired to become silent within

To attain freedom from selfish desire and become one with the reality of Mystery beyond form or concept—the Void, Emptiness….

A symbol

Is not an allegory

a figurative representation conveying a meaning other than and in addition to the literal.

Is not a metaphor

a figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity

Is not a sign

A literal representation of something

Modern Usage

Something widely believed but is in fact false

Stories that personified forces of gods, goddesses, legendary heroes in early societies

Four functions of myth

Mystical Function

To awaken and maintain in a person a sense of awe and gratitude for the "mystery dimension" of the universe and not to be afraid of it.

To realize that the mystery dimension is his own mystery as well.

To present an image of the universe that works in terms of the knowledge and science of a people in their own time.

The problem to day is that our mythology is out of date.

To validate, support and inculcate the norms of a culture’s moral order in the individual.

To carry a person through the life stages of one’s development.

Religious Usage

Beliefs/notions containing deep, meaningful values

These beliefs/notions sustain and give unity to society

Myth is a necessary symbolic medium in expressing the reality of the transcendent (Paul Tillich: German-American theologian and Christian existentialist philosopher.

Myth as Story

A story/narrative felt to be eternally valid

The story may be historical or legendary

 

Beginning contains

The hero or good force is in a position of weakness or strength is threatened.

Middle portion

Exposes or intensifies the weakness of the hero or good force

The Conclusion

Weakness is transformed into strength or revealed to have been a strength all along.

What weakness is evident?

What strength is threatened?

Where does transformation occur?

Is the Transcendent part of the myth?

An attempt to use/manipulate transhuman, often spiritual or divine beings or powers to bring about human goals

Rites often used when activities involve uncertainty or danger

Fishing in the Arctic

Going to War

Religious rites are done because they "are the right thing to do", and the outcome is dependent on a higher power.

Acknowledges dependence on the "More."

Magic rites are done to effect a cause, and the outcome is dependent on the rite being done correctly.

Acknowledges dependence on who performs the rite, how it is performed, where, when, etc. The act itself is considered to release the power.

The intention of the rite is to control the transcendent or divine power in order to manipulate the environment for personal or group purposes.

See Text Pg. 83—Navajo Ritual

Evil magic

Usually identified as witchcraft and is intended to cause harm

Good magic

The work of a shaman for the purpose of healing