Hidden Religion: The Greatest Mysteries and Symbols of the World's Religious Beliefs
Ebook
Covering secret societies, mysterious ancient traditions, and the often-mistaken history of the world's religious symbols, this book takes readers on a tour through the fascinating world of religious symbolism and reveals the most mysterious and misunderstood facets of religion.
Hidden Religion: The Greatest Mysteries and Symbols of the World's Religious Beliefs not only explores the history and origins of widely recognizable symbols, like the Christian cross and the Star of David, but also introduces readers to more obscure symbols from religious traditions around the world—even defunct ones like those of the ancient Aztec and Mayan societies. In addition, the book discusses the "religious secrets" found in the major religions, including secret societies of Christianity, Judaism, Islam, and Buddhism.
Containing more than 170 entries, the encyclopedia is organized by religious category, such as Abrahamic, East Asian, and African Diasporic religions, then alphabetically within each category. Each entry is prefaced with a short introduction that explains where and when the religious tradition originated and describes the religion today. This information is followed by an analysis of the historical development and use of symbols along with an explanation of connections between symbols used by different religions, such as shared astrological symbolism in the form of moon, sun, or star motifs.
Covering secret societies, mysterious ancient traditions, and the often-mistaken history of the world's religious symbols, this book takes readers on a tour through the fascinating world of religious symbolism and reveals the most mysterious and misunderstood facets of religion.
Provides fascinating historical and contextual information about religious traditions and symbols
Addresses the roots of some of today's most popular superstitions and conspiratorial theories
Focuses primarily on religions that are dominant or are becoming widespread within the United States, allowing students to gain a better understanding of religion in American society and greater appreciation for cultural diversity
Develops a unique thesis about utilizing religious archetypes to facilitate understanding of religious ritual and organizations
Includes a phonetic pronunciation guide with each entry to help students become comfortable with unfamiliar terminology
Preface
Introduction: History and Mystery
ABRAHAMIC AND IRANIAN RELIGIONS
Judaism
Chai Symbol
Gematria
Kabbalah
Kiddush Cup
Menorah
Mezuzah
Sephirot
Star of David
Zionist Conspiracy Theories
Christianity and Catholicism
Christ-myth Theory
College of Cardinals
Cross
Dove
Eye of God
Fish
Freemasonry
The Knights Templar
Latter-day Saints
Olive Branch
Opus Dei
Secrets of Fatima
Vatican Secret Archives
Gnosticism
Eight-armed Cross
Ouroboros
Secrets of the Naassenes
Islam
Ismaili Assassins
Rub-el-hizb
Shahadatain
Star and Crescent
Sufism
Women in Islam
Baha'i
Baha'i Calendar
Nine-pointed Star
Ringstone Symbol
Rastafarianism
Haile Selassie
Lion of Judah
Marijuana
Rastafarian Flag
Zoroastrianism
Faravahar
Firepot
The Life of Zoroaster
DHARMIC RELIGIONS
Hinduism
Hanuman
Kali Cults
The Kama Sutra
Om Symbol
Swastika
Tantrism
Trishula
Yantras
Buddhism
Ashoka and the Nine Unknown Men
Buddhist Demons and Monsters
Conch Shell
Dharmachakra
Eyes of Buddha
The Life of Buddha
Lotus
White Lotus Society
Zen and Chan Buddhism
Jainism
Jain Emblem
Jainism and Science
Time in Jain Cosmology
Sikhism
Ek Onkar
Khalsa Knighthood
Khanda
The Rehat Maryada
EAST ASIAN RELIGIONS
Taoism
Alchemy
The Celestial Bureaucracy
Eight Trigrams
Feng Shui
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Yin-yang Symbol
Shinto
Kagura
Kami
Tomoe
Torii Gate
Confucianism
Canonical Confucianism
Double Happiness Symbol
The Life of Confucius
Shui
Xiao
Falun Gong
Falun Gong Emblem
Qigong
AFRICAN RELIGIOUS TRADITIONS
Native Religions of Africa
Adinkra Symbols
Cattle in Maasai Spirituality
Kuba Masks
Zulu Divination
Ancient Egyptian Religion
Animals in Egyptian Religion
Ankh
Isis Worship
Loa and Orisha Worship
African Mermaid Myths
Animal Sacrifice
The Bizango and Zombification
The Haitian Loa
INDIGENOUS AMERICAN RELIGIONS
Mayan Religion
Jaguar
The Mayan Calendar
Aztec Religion
Human Sacrifice
Quetzalcoatl
Tenochtitlan
Incan Religion
Andean Mummification Rituals
Chakana
Water Spirits
Native American Religion
Coyote
The Ghost Dance Movement
Great Spirit Symbolism
Kokopelli
Medicine Wheel
Peyote Rituals
Rain Dance
Symbols of the Sun
Totem Pole
OCEANIC RELIGIONS
Australian Aboriginal Religion
Dreamtime
Kangaroo
The Rainbow Serpent
Uluru and Kata Tjuta
Polynesian Religion
The Moai
Ritual Tattooing
Tapu and Mana
Tiki
WESTERN PAGANISM
Ancient Greek and Roman Religion
Dionysus
Hellenism Symbol
Mithraic Mysteries
New Age and Neo-pagan Spirituality
Horned God Symbol
Mjolnir
Nature Worship
Pentagrams and Pentacles
Satanism
Stonehenge
The Triple Goddess and Triple Spiral
Wicca and the Goddess Movement
Glossary of Terminology
Selected Bibliography
Index
Recommended for academic and large public libraries.
Highly browsable, especially for students looking for potential research topics. . . . Summing Up: Recommended. Undergraduates and general readers.
- Title: Hidden Religion: The Greatest Mysteries and Symbols of the World's Religious Beliefs
- Authors: Micah Issitt, Carlyn Main
- Publisher: ABC-CLIO
- Print Publication Date: 2014
- Logos Release Date: 2024
- Language: English
- Resources: 1
- Format: Digital › Ebook
- ISBN: 9798216095941
- Resource ID: LLS:9798216095941
- Resource Type: Monograph
- Metadata Last Updated: 2024-04-11T18:20:27Z
Micah Issitt is a freelance writer and researcher.
Carlyn Main is a freelance author and editor.