- Phallic saints
Phallic saints were actual
saint s or local deities who were invoked forfertility . More than vulgar representations of thephallus , phallic saints were benevolent symbols of prolificacy and reproductive fruitfulness, and objects of reverence and especial worship among barren women and young girls. [http://www.ourcivilisation.com/smartboard/shop/taylorgr/sxnhst/chap14.htm The Minor Themes ] ] Many were legitimate saints who acquired their priapic attributes through the process offolk-etymology . Sir William Hamilton (1730-1803) [Sir William Hamilton was the husband ofEmma, Lady Hamilton , the mistress ofHoratio Nelson .] reported that, among the wax representations of body parts then presented as offerings toCosmas and Damian atIsernia , nearNaples , on their feast day, those of thepenis were the most common. [ [http://arthistory.berkeley.edu/davis/GettyWaxVotives.pdf Whitney Davis, "Wax Tokens of Libido"] ]Some examples include:
* Ters, or St. Ters, of
Antwerp , whose cult was reported on byJohannes Goropius Becanus . He was also named Semini or God Jumenas.
* SaintsCosmas and Damian , twin physicians, one of whose cult-centers wasIsernia , nearNaples .
* Saint Guignolé (Winwaloe), firstAbbot of Landévennec , who acquired his priapic status by confusion of his name with "gignere" (Fr. "engendrer", "to beget"). His shrine was not destroyed until 1793. [ [http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/wgp/wgp04.htm Worship of the Generative Powers: Priapus Worship ] ]
*Saint Foutin , by assimilation of the name of Pothin (Pothinus), firstbishop of Lyon , to the verb "foutre" (“tofuck ”). People worshipped the phallus of St. Foutin by pouring wine on it.
*Saint Guerlichon (Greluchon) atBourg-Dieu .
*Saint Gilles (Aegidius) atCotentin .
*Saint Rene inAnjou (by confusion with "reins", "kidneys " - once believed to be the seat of sexual power).References
External links
* [http://www.ourcivilisation.com/smartboard/shop/taylorgr/sxnhst/chap14.htm Phallic Saints]
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/pw/pw.htm Phallic Worship]
* [http://www.sacred-texts.com/sex/wgp/wgp04.htm Priapus Worship]
* [http://www.public-domain-content.com/books/classic_greece_rome/priap/prpc.shtml Priapeia]
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