The Universal Meaning of the Sun-Cult in Myths and Religions
Abstract
This work studies different cultures regarding cults, myths and various religious beliefs. Its focus lies in examining the significance of the sun and its influence on shaping different cultures and the consolidation of their religious attitudes and trends. The people of antiquity did not fail to notice the daily movement of the sun in the sky, from its rise in the east to its setting in the west. Moreover, already in ancient civilizations people were aware of the connection between the change of the seasons and the movement of the sun.
The sun affects all aspects of human life. It is not surprising, therefore, that it became a central symbol of power, control, wisdom, and justice, and won a major role in different civilizations. In some civilizations, the connection between theology and the sun seems obvious: the major deity is the God of the Sun (e.g, in Egypt) and both the cult and the way of thought are formed around the importance of the sun. In other civilizations, the Sun God is not of such prominence (e.g, in the Canaanite culture). It is my assertion, however, that "solar principles" are to be found at the root of myths and the perception of the cosmos.
In my view, not only did the periodic nature of the sun's motion (sunrise, sunset, the seasons) affect the consolidation of a sun worship, but it also shaped human consciousness. According to my understanding, it had a decisive contribution to the creation of the major dichotomy which shapes the human mind and its view of the cosmos. It helped form the archetypes of light-darkness, white-black, good-evil, and life-death. The daily appearance of sunlight formed not only the dichotomy itself, but clearly determined the supremacy of the sun over these opposites, making the sun identical with light, good and life.
Whereas in some religions the idea of eternal periodicity is explicitly stated (Maya, Canaanite), in others, which gradually distanced themselves from nature (Judaism, Christianity), periodicity vanishes being replaced by linear thinking. It is my opinion, however, that "a sun-based idea" remains central in the theology of these civilizations, namely the contrast between good and evil (e.g, Christ as opposed to Antichrist and the concept of God in Jewish theology as opposed to Satan).
The emergence of this idea and the fact that it could easily spread, be assimilated and absorbed over vast geographical areas, testify to a unifying universal principle and to its primary source, rooted deeply in the forces of nature.
The sun affects all aspects of human life. It is not surprising, therefore, that it became a central symbol of power, control, wisdom, and justice, and won a major role in different civilizations. In some civilizations, the connection between theology and the sun seems obvious: the major deity is the God of the Sun (e.g, in Egypt) and both the cult and the way of thought are formed around the importance of the sun. In other civilizations, the Sun God is not of such prominence (e.g, in the Canaanite culture). It is my assertion, however, that "solar principles" are to be found at the root of myths and the perception of the cosmos.
In my view, not only did the periodic nature of the sun's motion (sunrise, sunset, the seasons) affect the consolidation of a sun worship, but it also shaped human consciousness. According to my understanding, it had a decisive contribution to the creation of the major dichotomy which shapes the human mind and its view of the cosmos. It helped form the archetypes of light-darkness, white-black, good-evil, and life-death. The daily appearance of sunlight formed not only the dichotomy itself, but clearly determined the supremacy of the sun over these opposites, making the sun identical with light, good and life.
Whereas in some religions the idea of eternal periodicity is explicitly stated (Maya, Canaanite), in others, which gradually distanced themselves from nature (Judaism, Christianity), periodicity vanishes being replaced by linear thinking. It is my opinion, however, that "a sun-based idea" remains central in the theology of these civilizations, namely the contrast between good and evil (e.g, Christ as opposed to Antichrist and the concept of God in Jewish theology as opposed to Satan).
The emergence of this idea and the fact that it could easily spread, be assimilated and absorbed over vast geographical areas, testify to a unifying universal principle and to its primary source, rooted deeply in the forces of nature.
Dr. Ofir Jacobson
Researcher of ancient cultures, religions and myths; Lecturer & tourist guide
http://www.ofirjacobson.com/
[email protected]
Researcher of ancient cultures, religions and myths; Lecturer & tourist guide
http://www.ofirjacobson.com/
[email protected]