Ancient Symbolism of the Cross

Here I write about ancient symbolism associated with the cross. I compare modern Christian ideas of the cross with ancient ideas.

In previous blogs I've covered anthropology and archaeology but this is the first one where I delve into the subject of symbology.

The wheel cross or sun cross was associated with the sun. It represented power or control. You can still see this symbol today in many Christian churches.

Another cross symbol is the Egyptian Ankh. The Ankh symbolizes life, more specifically eternal life. Anybody who has ever been to an Egyptian exhibit at a museum has likely seen ancient pictures of figures holding an ankh. Isis is often depicted with an Ankh in hand. It was very common is ancient art and was sometimes worn as an amulet for protection the same way some modern Christians wear cross necklaces for protection. It is one of the most widely known symbols of ancient Egypt.

The most common cross symbol used by Christians today is the Latin cross or crucifix. Not only was this an ancient torture device used for crucifixion but its also symbolic of something. Before Christianity, the Latin cross symbolized the staff of Apollo, the sun god, and appears on ancient coinage. So it's actually a sun symbol, among other things.

Knowing that the cross is also a sun symbol, you'll never look at a church with a big cross the same way again.

Next Blog Topic: Ancient Symbolism of the Cross

In my next blog I will be writing about ancient symbolism. Particularly the truth about how the Christian cross is associated with the sun and other ancient symbols that predate Christianity such as the Egyptian Ankh. If you enjoy my blog then you may just find that interesting.

Quote of the Day

Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues, but the parent of all others. -Cicero

What Happened to the Anasazi?

As a resident of the western United States I've had the opportunity to visit some of the pueblos of the Anasazi Indians. The first site I ever visited was in southern Utah.
One of the most enduring mysteries of the ancient America's is what happened to the Anasazi people who built dwelling places much like homes and apartments within ancient caves. Many of these Anasazi dwellings are found in southern Utah and southwestern Colorado. As well as New Mexico and northern Arizona.
These people seem to have vanished from off the face of the earth, leading to many crazy ideas from the idea that there was a huge war that wiped them out to the idea that aliens or interdimensional beings took them away. Although there are many theories on this subject (some less believable or more outlandish than others) the most likely theory is that many of their numbers died out because of drought, famine, and overall lack of resources to sustain a growing population within their societies. There is even some evidence that they were driven out by other Native American people. Some may be members of the Zuni, Hopi, Navajo, and possibly even the Ute tribes of today.
It is alarming, however, that such a large ancient population suddenly declined. Was it merely famine and drought that starved many of them to death and forced them to migrate from their communities or something more?
As archaeology uncovers more facts, hopefully we can piece together more evidence as to the circumstances that led to their disappearance. Even so, tourists will continue to visit these places to be awed and inspired by this great ancient mystery.

For more on the Anasazi there's a book I own that I recommend called House of Rain by Craig Childs. It's an excellent read on the subject.

Next Blog Topic: The Anasazi

Like my blog? Then follow it as I will be giving insight into another archaeological mystery. The mystery of what happened to the Anasazi Indians. This will be my next blog topic and it should be fascinating.

Quote of the Day

I have never met a man so ignorant I couldn't learn anything from him. -Galileo

Comparative Religion: The Baal Epic and Psalm 68

This blog is somewhat related to my previous blog entry on archaeology and the Bible.
After reading through the book of Psalms in the Bible and looking back through an old print off of a translation of the Baal Epic I noticed something interesting that is worth pointing out. In Psalm 68:4 it reads- 'Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.'
Here Yah would have been the Hebrew name and the footnote in my Bible for the name Yah or Jah reads Jehovah. How is this related to the ancient tablets known as the Baal Epic? Let me explain that briefly and decide for yourself if you believe the explanation is accurate.
In a broken translation near the beginning of the Baal Epic it reads:
'And kindly El the Beneficent speaks... Not called my son by the name of Yawu, O godess Elat and..., but Yahm shall be his name!'
Yes. It is very broken since it was translated from an ancient tablet.
What's interesting here? Well, what's interesting is that Yah was the name of the ancient Canaanite deity Yahm. A parallel can be drawn when we think about the story of how Abram's name was changed by God to Abraham. Were Yahm and Yahweh once inseparable before he evolved into the God we know today?
A side note in the synopsis attached to the copy says: Yw probably the same as Ieou in Philo of Byblos' Phoenician history, possibly identified with Yahweh.
From my understanding, in the Baal Epic myth Yah or Yahm tries to usurp Baal and vice versa. Baal eventually defeats Yahm. However, in the story of Elijah the priests of Baal are defeated by Yahweh. A strong Yahwist cult may have eventually prevailed and paved the way for the Yahweh worship in monotheism as we know it today.
Anyway, it's an interesting comparison. Fascinating parallels that may be significant to understanding how modern religion developed and evolved from older ones. Draw from it what you will.
Oh, and let's not forget that Hallelujah means 'Praise ye Yah' in Hebrew.

Source(s): www.geocities.com/soho/lofts/2938/mythsynop.html?200618
Theories on the Development of Monotheism