Monsters or Bearer of Life-Giving Powers? — Trans-Religious Migrations of an Ancient Western Asian Symbolism

Book Detail

• ISBN: 9788124608890
• Brand: D.K. Printworld Pvt. Ltd.
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of Pages: 123
• Release Date: 01-01-2017
• Package Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.9 x 0.4 inches
• Languages: English

Description

In this well-illustrated volume, Sara Kuehn explores the enigmatic symbolism of the great monster's cavernous maw, a common motif found across various world religions, both polytheistic and monotheistic. The book delves into how this zoomorphic hybrid—often represented by the gaping jaws of a monstrous figure—appears in Hindu, Buddhist, Jewish, Christian, and Islamic traditions. It analyzes the cross-cultural points of contact that may have influenced the spread of this symbolism, particularly from regions such as Turkey, the Caucasus, and Iran to the Indian Subcontinent.

Kuehn investigates how this mythical paradigm portrays two contradictory forces:

• The devouring power of death represented by the yawning jaws
• The creative or generative power of life, reflected in the same image

The book argues that this dual symbolism exists on a common axis, capturing the paradoxical and potent forces of life and death. The book's synthesis of this imagery offers various interpretations of this dual force, suggesting that it can simultaneously be daunting and awe-inspiring, humbling and exalting.

This work will attract scholars and enthusiasts of comparative religion, cultural history, and art history, providing insight into the rich symbolic traditions that transcend individual faiths.