The Phallus: Sacred Symbol of Male Creative Power

Rating:
Summary: A different perspective on the male member
Review: I can't believe I'm writing a review for this book. I can't believe I'm publicly admitting that I read it. But, let me tell you, you can find some odd books while rummaging around in the obscure corners of Powell's City of Books in Portland. And yet, on the other hand, THE PHALLUS: SACRED SYMBOL OF MALE CREATIVE POWER is not so odd. It merely discusses what has been a part of international civilization for millennia: worship of the erect member. Through photographic representation of art and architecture, and quotations of philosophers, Alain Danielou reveals that phallus worship is one of the most fundamental aspect of just about all religious traditions, arguing that even the cross originated as a phallus symbol.

Of all the surprising things I found in this surprising book, what struck me the most is this: Alain Danielou claims that in many cultures the phallus is not viewed as the possession of the man, but is a representative of the life-force and therefore the man is merely the phallus-bearer, its servant but not its owner. (Danielou claims that the phallus is actually the prime symbol of life.) This made me think back to Joseph Campbell's words in the video series "The Power of Myth." When questioned by Bill Moyer as to why woman is often scapegoated in sacred myth, the story of Adam and Eve being the most vivid example, Campbell explains: "Because woman represents life, and in the Christian and Judaic view, life is something that should not have happened...." Campbell elaborates to say that in the western world woman is regarded as the prime source of life, and that it therefore follows that woman is blamed for pain since man does not enter into this world of duality - pleasure/pain - but by woman. Putting these two pieces together, I realized why worship of the phallus has had to go underground during the Christian era: if it is true that the phallus is the prime symbol and source of life, then woman is not fully to blame for the burden of life. It is not only woman who got us here, but man as well. Further, if creative power in the western world is viewed as solely synonymous with woman, then recognizing a creative power within man means recognizing a feminine aspect of man. Further studies in this area threaten to reveal that sexuality and gender may ultimately be illusory.

If we are to maintain the illusion of male superiority, then we best not look at and/or analyze the phallus. No wonder I am a bit ashamed to admit I've read this book.

Andrew Michael Parodi

Rating:
Summary: The Phallus: Sacred Symbol of Male Creative Power
Review: I found "The Phallus: Sacred Symbol of Male Creative Power" to be a fascinating book, not only with respect to Alain Daniélou's well-researched explanations of the purpose of phallic symbolism and worship, but also for his inclusion of ancient legends, beliefs, and cultural customs. With so much history and religio-cultural reasoning underlying phallic symbolism and worship, I'm personally amazed, as the author appears to be, that Western civilization, for the most part, considers this such a forbidden subject. In the introduction, the Author extends the amazement with the following caveat:

"Contempt for this sacred emblem, as well as degradation and debasement of it, pushes man from the divine reality. It provokes the anger of the gods and leads to the decline of the species. The man who scorns the very symbol of the life principle abandons his kind to the powers of death."

"The Phallus" is based on what I discovered to be an intriguing subject, and it is written with such clarity that I was easily drawn in, enlightened and entertained. Aside from its stimulating intellectual content, this book contains many beautiful photographs in both color and black and white.

Rating:
Summary: The Magnificent Male Symbol
Review: Of all the disputes of modern times, the most difficult to reconcile in a dual gender world is the grandeur of the male phallus and its idolization as a symbol of male strength and power. In the Bible, it dons the symbolism of all creation for its functionality and unique character, making it the tool of civilization. Oddly, within that burden rests a world unduly concerned with its exposure and exhibition, particularly in its moments of swollen pride reserved for times of sexual excitement. Contrast the phallus at rest when its devine power is merely imaginable for its capacity and what results is its fascinating dual nature, too often judged by its larger dimension. The tool through which the real "family jewels" are delivered to deposit nature's bounty have been unfairly criticized in our puritanical history. A similar problem occurs for female genitals creating the great shame that burdens society in its love/hate schizophrenic resolve in what attitudes are appropriate in any given situation of that primary focus. Misrepresented by advertisers, condemned by religious leaders, what is a male to do? The pride of ownership by both sexes might be the choice of response along with the tender care that any other physical organ deserves and is consistent with the mental health concerns we take with every other part of our bodies. Yet, the sensitive and private areas reserved for intimacies of enormous emotion and passion are often resigned to shameless hiding to survive where both men and women are conditioned to avoid or ignore these bodily parts so that both are unfamiliar with them throughout their lives. God given body parts that are integral to the sum total of our existence, including the ability to have children, are rarely the product of adults who have already had children for their value has been proven, and appreciation is accepted for its (or their) unique function. No need for shame. There is a need for understanding through the education that might be available to reach acceptance of these parts as no different from other organs of our bodies. Of greater sadness is the ridicule that is produced from the general and common functions these parts are meant to perform in our daily lives that ordinary, unthinking people consider gross. The unnatural contemplation and distain of the phallus, rooted in centuries of conflict, no doubt strives to live a normal life where its unique powers may be accepted and appreciated, and even proudly displayed in art, in sculpture, and when appropriate, in private. Overreaction of horror is unnatural for an educated society distorted by its taboos of shame. For God's finest glory designed for its distinct purpose, it is shameful treatment to condemn and irrationally hide God's artwork.