what is an example of the relationship between symbols and magic within religion?

Question

for example, wearing a cross as protection. what are some other examples?

*sigh* no, I'm not trying to get anyone to do my homework, I am working on a part of my essay and really stumped...just thought you guys might have some ideas to get me rolling

Answer 1

While I agree that this sounds suspiciously like a homework assignment, I believe it deserves a serious answer. For an example, read the following link. It explains fully how, with a religious symbol in place, a believer doesn't care if it rains or freezes because the religious symbol will provide magical protection:
http://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Hall/3288/jesuslyrics.html

Answer 2

The Pentacle has been used as a religious symbol, not only in Paganism, for many, many years. It was even once used in Christianity to symbolize the five wounds of Christ inflicted when he was hung on the cross. It symbolizes many things, including the five elements of Air, Fire, Water, Earth, and Spirit. It also can symbolize a human being (the top point being the head, the two on the sides; the arms, and the two on the bottom; the legs). This is part of why Satanism uses the pentacle inverted, to symbolize matter over the mind, as opposed to the mind over matter. It has been used as a protection sigil for a very long time and is still used by emergecy personnel and organizations such as police cars, badges, etc. It is a universal protection symbol. I wear one for protection myself. :-)

Answer 3

This is a bit different, perhaps not exactly what you had in mind, but the fish symbol, which is so prevalent in Christianity, actually corresponds to the sign of Pisces in Astrology; the Astrological Age of Pisces began about the alleged year of Christ's birth and continued for the two thousand years after until the Age of Aquarius "dawned" recently.

Answer 4

Oh my....this list could get long you know? :)

the star of david is but one example. it is a hexagram.



witches (which is a religion) use a circle (used to protect them from evil spirits) and the pentagram as well.

the eight fold path of enlightenment shows up in stained glass windows quite often.

there is an obelisk in the middle of st.peters square - right in the center of an eight fold path of enlightenment!

there are many different crosses and all of them do not stand for the crucifiction of Yashua, Jesus the Christ.

This is just for starters...

Answer 5

Wearing a guardian angel pin
Putting ashes on the forehead on Ash Wednesday.
Having lights on a Christmas tree (Jesus called himself, "The light of the world.)

Answer 6

eating the body and blood of christ ;magic? maybe he should have said walk a mile in my shoes ....

Answer 7

as a pagan, i wear a pentacle, it represents air, water, fire, earth and spirit, but that doesn't make it magickal