Gender variance in spirituality: Difference between revisions
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Gender variant deities and patrons of gender variance in Greco-Roman religions: | Gender variant deities and patrons of gender variance in Greco-Roman religions: | ||
* Greek mythology with Phrygian origins described '''Agdistis''', who was both male and female. The other gods feared the power of this complete being, and so castrated Agdistis, removing Agdistis's penis. From their blood sprang a tree that bore either almonds or pomegranates, depending on the version of the story, but both of these fruits symbolize the vulva and womb. The fruit of it fertilized Nana, who gave birth to Attis. Agdistis brought chaos to the wedding of Attis, so that Attis went mad, castrated himself, and died. In dismay, Agdistis asked the gods to preserve Attis's body, and founded a festival in his honor. There are several very different versions of the story of Agdistis, but basic events remain similar.<ref>Pierre Grimal and Stephen Kershaw, The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, p. 27-28.</ref> In some versions, Agdistis a relation or aspect of the goddess Cybele. | * Greek mythology with Phrygian origins described '''Agdistis''', who was both male and female. The other gods feared the power of this complete being, and so castrated Agdistis, removing Agdistis's penis. From their blood sprang a tree that bore either almonds or pomegranates, depending on the version of the story, but both of these fruits symbolize the vulva and womb. The fruit of it fertilized Nana, who gave birth to Attis. Agdistis brought chaos to the wedding of Attis, so that Attis went mad, castrated himself, and died. In dismay, Agdistis asked the gods to preserve Attis's body, and founded a festival in his honor. There are several very different versions of the story of Agdistis, but basic events remain similar.<ref>Pierre Grimal and Stephen Kershaw, The Penguin Dictionary of Classical Mythology, p. 27-28.</ref> In some versions, Agdistis has a relation or is an aspect of the goddess Cybele. | ||
* '''Aphrodite''' had transgender aspects. Servius said, "There is in Cyprus an image...with the body and dress of a woman, but with a scepter and the sex of a man, which they call '''Aphroditus''', and to which the men sacrifice in a female dress and the women in a masculine one."<ref>Gerald Massey, ''The natural Genesis.'' p. 512. </ref> This can be seen as the presence of transgender priests and priestess, as the Romans often had antagonistic views towards androgyny. This deity was depicted as a woman with a penis, often lifting her skirt to reveal her penis. | * '''Aphrodite''' had transgender aspects. Servius said, "There is in Cyprus an image...with the body and dress of a woman, but with a scepter and the sex of a man, which they call '''Aphroditus''', and to which the men sacrifice in a female dress and the women in a masculine one."<ref>Gerald Massey, ''The natural Genesis.'' p. 512. </ref> This can be seen as the presence of transgender priests and priestess, as the Romans often had antagonistic views towards androgyny. This deity was depicted as a woman with a penis, often lifting her skirt to reveal her penis. | ||
*'''Venus''', the Roman counterpart to Aphrodite, also had gender variant aspects.'''Venus Barbata''', an aspect of the goddess Venus, grew a beard and dressed as a man in order to court a gay man. This deity was patron of sex workers and of socially taboo love and sex, particularly homosexuality.<ref>Raven Kaldera, Hermaphrodeities, p. 72-74.</ref> Her followers included men who dressed as women, and she’s said to have turned some men into women. | *'''Venus''', the Roman counterpart to Aphrodite, also had gender variant aspects.'''Venus Barbata''', an aspect of the goddess Venus, grew a beard and dressed as a man in order to court a gay man. This deity was patron of sex workers and of socially taboo love and sex, particularly homosexuality.<ref>Raven Kaldera, Hermaphrodeities, p. 72-74.</ref> Her followers included men who dressed as women, and she’s said to have turned some men into women. | ||