Why ancient people were obsessed with the phallus?

Question

Going over most ancient art worldwide from the baltics to south america to rome and africa etc,there are always artifacts/sculptures of pen-'s made into human forms??pe-is people? can someone explain the symbolism to me?

Africa -
http://www.hamillgallery.com/BURA/BURAHEADS/BuraHeads.html

Denmark -
http://www.heorot.dk/broddenbjerg-ingui.jpg

Roman http://images.channeladvisor.com/Sell/SSProfiles/30063165/Images/905carving1.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Mus%C3%A9e_Picardie_Arch%C3%A9o_03.jpg

columbia
http://www.edgarlowen.com/b3629.jpg

Ireland
http://www.beyond-the-pale.org.uk/phallic2.htm

Palestine
http://www.dhushara.com/paradoxhtm/fall/phalli.jpg
etc etc.

Answer 1

Why are modern people obsessed with phallus symbols? Because of what they represent.

In my experience a man will do almost anything to get his phallus symboled. And I mean anything.

Answer 2

Ah, the great mystery of life. really. What is more miraculous then the creation of life. No one has been able to create life outside the womb. To ancient people, children were - literally - the future. And they died in droves. and only through the union were they able to make more of them. It's a magical thing.

Also, you move into sympathetic magic. Something like something will produce the same results. If there hasn't been any rain, pour water in a riverbed and the heavens will see this and send more rain. If the humble husbands phallus can create a child, then won't a Gods do more, and larger pictures of them do ever more?

You will find the same people who worship the lingum also worship the pregnant woman. Look up earth mother.

There was an old Jewish saying that women didn't need to be able to read or write because they could create life iwhtin them, and there is no greater miracle.

Answer 3

agnosticmom has stated the obvious. But in old times fertility was important and the worship of the phallus was to insure fertility. In some cultures mens parts and in others womens parts were idols. Some of the earliest goddess looked like paginate women. If you look up modern sex toys they look just like some of your example pictures, form follows function! The only difference is what they are made of, plastic has got to be better than wood. "splinters"
Also India, Japan, China, everyone had this type of art.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_sex_in_India
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sex_museum

Answer 4

Ancient art is also fascinated by the female body.

I can, with about 10 minutes research, show you 10 links to paintings, sculptures, figurines and other representations of women's' bodies, pregnant women, etc.

Its all part of the ancient fascination with fertility. Both the phallus and the representation of women's breasts represented the magic voodoo of reproduction to ancient people.

Look at modern art. You'll find that nothing has changed much. Plenty of art still represents male and female sexuality. Our fascination for each others' bodies hasn't changed in a thousand years.

Answer 5

The symbolism is about male dominated power. Patriarchal belief systems dominated by men who sequester their wives and daughters, denigrate the female role in reproduction, erect monuments to the male genitalia, have sex with the sons of their peers, sponsor public whorehouses, create a mythology of rape, and engage in rampant military power.

Answer 6

Look at the Seattle Space Needle, we still are obsessed.

Answer 7

Many ancient civilizations were patriarchal societies. Men made all the rules.

Answer 8

I think it was a sign of virility. Not sure though.

Answer 9

the phallus is a wonderful thing.....have you tried it?

Answer 10

they appreciated the true meaning of life, procreation.