Homer Simpson or the Cerne Abbas giant?
"Pagans have pledged to perform "rain magic" to wash away a cartoon character painted next to their famous fertility symbol - the Cerne Abbas giant. A doughnut-brandishing Homer Simpson now adorns the hillside above Cerne Abbas, Dorset, next to the giant.
The ancient chalk outline of the naked, sexually aroused, club-wielding giant is believed by many to be a symbol of ancient spirituality. Many couples also believe the 180ft carving aids fertility.
The Simpsons character was painted next to the figure on Monday in a publicity stunt to promote The Simpsons movie released later this month. It has been painted with water-based biodegradable paint which will wash away as soon as it rains."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/dorset/6901543.stm
2007-07-16 15:49:10 · 7 answers · asked by Wildamberhoney 6 in News & Events ➔ Current Events
LOL! Homer for me.
Just kidding. :-)
2007-07-16 16:07:22 · update #1
I did think that the raindance comment must have been made in jest and taken too seriously!
2007-07-16 21:15:15 · update #2
Clive - relax mate, I am pagan too.
2007-07-17 04:11:14 · update #3
how did the giant make a hole in homer's donut?
homer to stay!
2007-07-17 06:18:44 · answer #1 · answered by truluv exists! 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If the folk at Cerne Abbas in Dorset did not continue to look after their Green Man in all his male glory, by cutting the grass and making sure the chalk was replaced from time to time, there would be no Giant of Cerne Abbas.
The folk who look after the Giant are directly descended from the folk who made him in the first place. The original creators did not expect their Giant to survive for more than a couple of seasons. The grass quickly grows back over it, in less than two or three years.
During WW2 all these chalk monuments were grassed over since they were thought to be used by the Luftwaffe as ground markers when seeking their targets.
In the past it was quite common for some of these chalk monuments to be altered or made rude. Nothing wrong with that. The Long Man of Wilmington in Sussex does not have a penis and students from Brighton Uni have in the past gone up on the downs and given him one.
Such fun. Why not? Did he have one ever? And, who is he anyway?
The Cerne Abbas Giant is none other than the same guy you see on the side of the Green Giant can of sweet corn. He is also the same guy you see on the sign outside the Green Man pub. He represents fertility - obvious really when you look at his 'jack' and monster raving fallic club.
The best of the ancient chalk monuments is the White Horse of Uffington in Oxfordshire. He is kept white by the locals who are known to be of British descent by their DNA. So this business of the chalk monuments costs UK.gov nothing and is managed locally as it were by the descendants of the same folk who made it in the first place.
So, all these people who claim this or that Pagen rite to a given location are just talking a load of hog-wash.
I am a Pagan, a real Pagan and I know what I'm talking about. My grandfather was a Pagan born Welshman and a Druid and when he died, his body was returned to the Earth Mother. He is now racing his Celtic war chariot with his four thundering Arab horses across the land of Breten with the great nations of the British.
2007-07-17 01:56:22 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Maybe the Cerne Abbas/Abbot ((?) memory goes with age you know!)Giant is glad of the company after all this time?
I remember him well from my childhood.Passing him in the car meant we were almost home. That was such an amazing feeling, especially as it was our holiday home we were going to ,that I would I have to pick him.
Still I would love to see the rain magic at work. Maybe I could try it here( In the Middle East) when the rains are late. I performed a shortened version of the Hopi Rain Dance in the school playground last year to the amusement of everyone until the largest raindrops in the world started falling on them!
So I guess I have a vested interest in the pagans pulling it off!
2007-07-16 21:04:26 · answer #3 · answered by Christine H 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The old excited Giant is obviously the more worthy of preservation. But I wonder if the 'pagans' had their tongues firmly in their cheeks when they issued their pledge.
The whole story is superb PR for both items - the phallic fertility fellow and the Simpson's forthcoming movie. I reckon the pagans have been very Media savvy.
2007-07-16 21:03:08 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
Its a good advert for both, and perhaps the simpsons will donate some money to the upkeep of the giant for future years to come ?
2007-07-16 15:55:26 · answer #5 · answered by Frank 3 · 5⤊ 0⤋
The giant. DOH!
lol
2007-07-16 15:52:24 · answer #6 · answered by 99tzm 3 · 3⤊ 0⤋
LOL thats a difficult one. hmmm
2007-07-16 17:43:47 · answer #7 · answered by CHAAAAAAARGE! 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋