The malevolent eye : an essay on the evil eye, fertility and the concept of mana

Bibliographic Information

The malevolent eye : an essay on the evil eye, fertility and the concept of mana

Pierre Bettez Gravel

(American university studies, ser. 11 . Anthropology and sociology ; v. 64)

P. Lang, c1995

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Note

Bibliography: p. [158]-188

Description and Table of Contents

Description

The Evil Eye is one of the most wide-ranging systems of beliefs in the world and in history. It is more widespread than the belief in one God. Yet it is misunderstood and remains rather puzzling and mysterious. An explanation of its origins is given here by focusing on the meaning of the eye-as-symbol rather than on defining the Evil Eye as a problem of vision and gaze. As symbol, it is presumed to have its roots in pervasive fertility rituals dating back to prehistory. The very idea of fertility is the beginning and the end of survival in all subsistence societies. This pervasive obsession with production and reproduction, not only characterized prehistory and the preindustrial world, but has persisted with important modifications, into the world of money markets, while at the same time retaining the ancient symbols. The eye is one such symbol.

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Details

  • NCID
    BB02290332
  • ISBN
    • 0820422754
  • LCCN
    94037744
  • Country Code
    us
  • Title Language Code
    eng
  • Text Language Code
    eng
  • Place of Publication
    New York
  • Pages/Volumes
    xxxv, 188 p., [49] p. of plates
  • Size
    23 cm
  • Classification
  • Subject Headings
  • Parent Bibliography ID
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