ΦInfluence of the Phallic
Idea
In the religions of Antiquity
C. Staniland Wake
65 pages
Originally a paper read before the Anthropological Society of
London on April 5th, 1870.
"The phallic
superstition is founded essentially in the family idea. Captain Richard Burton recognized
this truth when he asserted that "amongst all barbarians whose primal want is progeny, we
observe a greater or less development of the phallic worship."
This view, however, is imperfect. There must have been
something more than a mere desire for progeny to lead primitive man to view the generative
process with the peculiar feelings embodied in this superstition.
We are, in fact, here taken to the root of all religions--awe
at the mysterious and unknown."
- Wake in his introduction.