Sacred Texts  Sacred Sexuality  Classics  Index  Previous  Next 

 


Plate XXVIII.

 

p. 56

Votive Phalli.

BRONZES FROM HERCULANEUM.

PLATE XXVIII.

FIGURES 1 AND 2.

THE first two figures represent amulets divided into two parts, one of which is in the form of a phallus, and the other of an arm with a hand, making the figue, that obscene gesture which we have spoken of in describing plate 19.

FIGURE 3.

This singular figure, to which are suspended four little bells, in its wings and head resembles a bird, and in the hinder part a lion: a threefold symbol of the generative principle, which fights with the strength of a lion, propagates with the swiftness of an eagle, and triumphs over all obstacles.

The lion

Strength.

The eagle

Swiftness.

The bells

Triumph.

 


Next: Plate XXIX: Bronze Amulets