the phallus
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A phallus is an erect penis, a penis-shaped object such as a dildo, or an imitation of an erect penis. Any object that symbolically resembles a penis may also be referred to as a phallus. Such symbols often represent the fertility and cultural implications that are associated with the male sexual organ.
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A mural of the god Mercury in Pompeii
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The Icelandic Phallological Museum in Husavik, is devoted to penises
As of September 2009 it housed 272 specimens from 92 species of animals
The museum attempts to collect penis specimens from every mammal in Iceland
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The Hohle phallus
a 28,000-year-old siltstone phallus discovered in the Hohle Fels cave, is among the oldest phallic representations known
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Ancient Egypt – statuette of Osiris with phallus and amulets
The phallus played a role in the cult of Osiris
When Osiris’ body was cut in 14 pieces, Seth scattered them all over Egypt and his wife Isis retrieved all of them except one, his penis, which was swallowed by a fish
Supposedly, Isis made a wooden replacement.
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In traditional Greek mythology, Hermes, the messenger god, is considered to be a phallic deity
Pan, son of Hermes, was often depicted as having an exaggerated erect phallus
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Shiva, perhaps the most ancient of the Indian deities, is worshipped most commonly in the form of the Lingam, or the Phallus. Evidence of Phallic Worship in the India dates back to prehistoric times.
Stone Lingams with several varieties of stylized “heads”, or the glans, are found to this day in many of the old temples, and in museums in India.
Below is a large quartz crystal of Shiva Linga from the Angkorian period 12th century. It is cut from a single block of quartz and polished smooth with engraved lines on the head of the Linga.
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In Scandinavia, the Norse god Freyr is a phallic deity, representing male fertility and love
The short story “Volsa Battr” describes a family of Norwegians worshiping a preserved horse penis.
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Many fertility shrines in Japan still exist today and “fertility” festivals are widespread
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The bear on the emblem of Portein, a municipality of Switzerland, has a clearly visible red phallus, in accordance with a long-held tradition
Heraldic bears occurring on various coats of arms had to be painted with bright red penises, or be mocked as being she-bears. The omission of this in 1579 nearly escalated into a war!
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In the Americas figures of Mayan gods often include phallic content
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Psycho-Babble!
Phallic Headplate in Gubbio, Italy – 1536
Phallic Worship is not dead
Thanks in large part to Freud, we now see penises EVERYWHERE
Cars and guns are two obvious examples of “everyday” objects that substitute for penises
Guitars are not far behind!
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Meanwhile flasher and penile imagery has penetrated grass-roots culture
Phallic Worship is not dead!
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cont’d – women riding phalluses!
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Some of the above material is adapted from http://wapedia.mobi/en/Phallus
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