Symbol of death? Symbol of life!

From our discussion of the week, our group explored the symbolism of death and disease represented in myths from African myths. It was a good opportunity for our group to deeply understand the symbol of death in African myth and compare it with the symbol of death from myths from other countries, such as Greece and China. It was very interesting that the symbols of death in many different myths deliver similar messages.

Death and Disease in Greek myth

Our group firstly discussed a Greek myth. People might have heard of the name, Asclepius, the son of Apollo and the renowned god of medicine. At the sanctuary of Epidaurus, people would travel all over seeking treatment of their ailments. The patients would be treated by incubation; meaning they would undergo purification rituals and then go to sleep. In their dreams, Asclepius would tell them how to treat or cure the ailment. Another thing that we found interesting about Asclepius is his association with snakes.  At the sanctuary, snakes would roam around and lick the patients to provide healing. For more detailed narrative, please refer to the web links below:

https://www.ancient.eu/Asclepius/

                                                    Asclepius God of Healing

Symbol of death and disease only?

In Greek culture, snakes symbolize a renewal of life, or rebirth since they shed their skin and are reborn. To our group, this was a good discussion topic because a snake is commonly considered as the venomous and dangerous creature that harms human but at the same time, it is a symbol of the renewal of life. Most gods from different myths have the symbol of life and death. For example, in the African Maasai myth, the supreme god, Engai gives people not only life and prosperity but also death and disease. Shiva in the Hindu triumvirate is known as a destroyer; however, he was originally a god of affluence and wealth. In Shaivism tradition, Shiva is one of the supreme beings who creates, protects, and transforms the universe.

Life and Death – Independent each other?

Through the research of the symbolism of death and disease, our group found out the symbol of death often acts as the symbol of life in many different myths. Interestingly enough, it seems like the symbol of death and life fall into the concept of Yin Yang from Taoism.  Yin is the dark swirl, and Yang is the light one.  Each side has a dot of the opposite colour. In Taoism, the Yin Yang symbol represents that everything contains the seed of its opposite. Please watch the video link below for understanding the Yin Yang.

                                     Yin – Death / Yang – Life – We are together!

Our group reflected the notion of death to Yin and the notion of life to Yang. As the Asclepius’ serpent is the symbol of healing and life; as the supreme god Engai has two faces for life and death; as the destroyer Shiva is also considered as a god of affluence, people have thought death is always with life and they interact each other. Indeed, death and life are opposite notions; however,  many myths shows they are always together and compose the world. This is very notable because it tells you how the people in ancient time view the world.  

Worldview from the symbol of death in myth

From the discussion of the week, our group came up with one consensus that death is not apart from life in most of myths and this clearly shows the worldview of the people in ancient time.  I believe there is no right answer in interpreting a myth. Our group made a very productive discussion, and it was amazing that the discussion that we started with death and disease ended with life, which is 180 degree opposite notion.  To put it in a nutshell, our group says death and life compose the world.  They are different, but not quite.

Reference

1. Cartwright, M. (2020, August 01). Asclepius. Retrieved August 06, 2020, from https://www.ancient.eu/Asclepius/

2. Cartwright, M. (2020, August 04). Shiva. Retrieved August 06, 2020, from https://www.ancient.eu/shiva/

3. Masai Religion. (2019, June 26). Retrieved August 06, 2020, from https://www.exploring-africa.com/en/kenya/maasai-people/masai-religion

4. Maasai – The concept of God – News & views from emerging countries. (n.d.). Retrieved August 06, 2020, from    https://www.southworld.net/kenya-maasai-the-concept-of-god/

5. Shan, J. (n.d.). What Do Yin and Yang Represent? Retrieved August 06, 2020, from https://www.thoughtco.com/yin-and-yang-629214