From Mithras to Jesus: Exploring the Roots of Christianity by Anyalzying Art - Part 2
The image of the infant god-man is an important one in Christianity, but it was no less so in pagan savior religions.
Madonna and infant Jesus.
This one is perhaps the most strikingly Jesus-like, and depicts the infant Dionysus. This is from the 4th century B.C.
From the Roman catacombs - Mother Isis with infant Horus.
Far more prevalent than any other symbol in Christianity is the cross or crucifix. This is said to represent the cross on which Jesus was crucified before rising from the grave 3 days later. However, in the Acts of the Apostles, Peter says Jesus was "hung on a tree." St. Paul's letter to the Galatians says the same. The god-man Attis was also hung, on a pine tree (remember the pine cone imagery). The cross, according to Timothy Freke and Peter Gandy of The Jesus Mysteries was an important symbol in the ancient world. The four arms represented the four elements.
(The Jesus Mysteries, 50-52).
From The Jesus Mysteries: Dionysus as a child is given a cross as an omen of his fate - to be crucified.
Another symbol often used in Christianity is the Ichthys, or "Jesus Fish." The symbol was used by Christians to mark their secret meeting places or was used as a "secret handshake," or perhaps both. Christian reasons for the history of this symbol are that it represents Jesus' miracle of feeding 5,000 people with fish or that Jesus called his disciples "fishers of men." However, the symbol's history is much older and more complicated than that.
When Jesus helps catch a large number of fish in the Gospel of John, the gospel mentions that it was 153 fish. Pagan priest and mathematician Pythagoras and his followers regarded 153 as a sacred number, and the ratio of height to length of the shape is 153:265, which Archimedes called "the measure of the fish. When two circles of the same circumference are combined such that the edge of one touches the center of the other, we see the fish take form:
Final Analysis: The similarities between these pagan god-men and the symbols and art that were inspired by their stories, and Jesus Christ are interesting. They bring into question, in my mind, the very foundations of Christianity. Was the story of Jesus yet another story of a dying and resurrecting god-man combined with the prophecy of the Jewish savior? Was there ever a real "Jesus The Man?" These questions fall outside of the scope of this project, but the similarities are striking.
I hope you have all enjoyed the presentation. Thank you.
posted by George Peterson @ 12:30 PM
5 Comments:
George your presentation was very thought provoking. I have looked at your presentation a couple of time throughout the day. I believe I have heard these parallels before. I guess since no one really knows the truth we have nothing to go on but our faith. One interersting point you made was that of the pine cones, I have never really paid much attention to that. The picture of the Madonna an dInfant Jesus is what comes to my mind when I think of the birth of Jesus and the Christmas season. Great presentation.
Iconography is such a fascinating subject, isn't it? It makes perfect sense that new faiths would use the same symbolic language as earlier ones because they are such potent images and carry so much meaning. Of course, it only makes sense when we stop and look at it because we're so accustomed to the imagery.
Very interesting presentation. And very intriguing.
This project raises some really interesting points. You are correct that the mother/child iconography tends to be associated w/ Chritianity, but surely there are other religions which honor a significant birth.
Very interesting presentation. I enjoyed it. I have heard and seen mention of religions (not only Christianity) co-opting some of the ideas of the prevailing religion of a particular area or time so that it would be easier to get converts. It also enabled people to still have celebrations at the same times of year (pagans who celebrated the winter solstice instead celebrating Christ's birth for example.) I did not realize though that early Christians had to "endure the mocking of their pagan neighbors who couldn't understand why they believed in the story of Jesus which was so much like their stories that the Christians discarded." You definitely showed how some symbols are very enduring and potent in a religious context.
George,
You really enlightened me. This is such an excellent presentation. There is so much information here. I would really like my high school/college group to look at it if you don't mind - There are some wonderful discussion points.
Again - Awesome
Suzy
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