The Phallus: Sacred Symbol of Male Creative Power

by Alain Daniélou

Beginning with an overview of the symbolism of creative forces in general, The Phallus first examines the representation of male fertility in such forms as the menhirs or standing stones of prehistoric Europe; the Mahalinga and Svayambhu of India; and the ancient Greek Omphalos. The second part of the book surveys the presence of ithyphallic gods in archaic shamanistic religions (the Lord of the Animals), the Greek pantheon (Hermes, Priapus), and the Hindu deities (Ardhanarishvara, the androgyne). Danielou also explores the role of Shaivist and Dionysian initiatory rites in bringing men into communion with the creative forces of life. Illustrated throughout with photographs and line drawings of European and Indian art, The Phallus celebrates the expression of the masculine in the religious traditions of East and West.

Phallic imagery, in one form or another, may be found in the artistic traditions of virtually every world culture since prehistoric times. Alain Danielou here unveils the religious impulse underlying art that at first glance seems to have no purpose beyond the erotic.

Genres: Mythology, Anthropology, Spirituality, History, Religion, Art, Psychology

128 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1995

About the author

Alain Daniélou :
1935-1948, études du sanskrit, philosophie, théologie, musique dans les écoles traditionnelles hindoues à Bénarès ;
1948-1954, professeur à l'université hindoue de Bénarès ;
1954 1956, directeur de la bibliothèque de manuscrits et des éditions sanskrites d'Adyar à Madras;
1956-1963, membre de l'Institut français d'indologie et de l'Ecole française d'Extrême-Orient ;
1963-1977, directeur de l'Institut international d'études comparatives de la musique à Berlin et Venise.

Reviews

[Chris Healey · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this fascinating, really comprehensive & well presented. The author gives a very lucid & occasionally poetic insight into the most fundamental & potent pagan symbol. Obviously there’s a large amount of material from ancient Indian mythology, being the longest unbroken living tradition of phallic worship, however there’s plenty of European correspondences that are discussed too not least Dionysus & interestingly some phallic saints.

[Chris Shepard · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it would be too big and hard, but once I relaxed, it wasn't so bad.

[Libra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very comprehensive and detailed book about the sacred position of Phallus and its worshiping. The book deals with Phallus in relation to Shiva and Dionysus but also cites other instances from Italian, French and English texts. It starts with creation of world, representations of Phallus in prehistoric times, and its significance in Hinduism.
🔹Most interestingly, it also addresses bisexuality as a transcendental aspect of god. The divine is presented as bearer of opposite sexes which is further described by instances of unity of Shiva and Shakti, transformation of Agditis into Cybele, and masculine and feminine representations of Dionysus.
Thus, the book analyses Phallus as centre of universe, as divine image that has procreative powers on every level in cosmology.

[Iván · Rating 4 out of 5]

No recuerdo cómo llegué a este libro pero sin duda me aportó mucho para mi exploración espiritual, sin duda mi cita favorita de todo 2020 será una de este libro.

"There is no god without animality, no animal without humanity, no man without a portion of divinity"

Reseña completa aquí

[TR · Rating 4 out of 5]

A thorough study of phallic imagery in traditional civilizations, including the origin of a certain hand gesture still commonplace today.