Natural symbols : explorations in cosmology / Mary Douglas ; with a new introduction.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Douglas, Mary, 1921-2007.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Ethnology--Religious aspects.

Ethnology.

Religion and sociology.

Human body--Religious aspects.

Human body.

Physical Description:

1 online resource (222 p.)

Edition:

2nd ed.

Place of Publication:

London ; New York : Routledge, 1996.

Language Note:

English

Summary:

Every natural symbol - derived from blood, breath or excrement - carries a social meaning and this work focuses on the ways in which any one culture makes its selections from body symbolism. Each person treats their body as an image of society and the author examines the varieties of ritual and symbolic expression and the patterns of social ritual in which they are embodied.Natural Symbols is a book about religion and it concerns our own society at least as much as any other. It has stimulated new insights into religious and political movements and has provoked re-appraisals of cu

Contents:

Book Cover; Title; Contents; List of diagrams; Acknowledgements; Introduction to 1996 edition; Introduction; Away from ritual; To inner experience; The Bog Irish; Grid and group; The two bodies; Test cases; The problem of evil; Impersonal rules; Control of symbols; Out of the cave; Bibliography; Index

Notes:

Originally published: 2nd ed. London : Barrie and Jenkins, 1973.

Includes bibliographical references (p. [171]-176) and index.

ISBN:

1-134-77374-9

1-134-77375-7

1-280-33137-2

0-203-03605-0

9780203036051

OCLC:

277588847