apotropaic power
Quick Summary
Apotropaic power refers to the use of magic or ritual to avert evil. This concept is deeply intertwined with religion, as many religious traditions incorporate practices designed to protect individuals or communities from harm, malevolent forces, or bad luck.12
Apotropaic practices can manifest in various forms, including the use of specific symbols, objects, or rituals believed to possess protective qualities. For instance, certain carvings, charms, or even plants have been historically employed to ward off evil. The term itself originates from the Greek word apotropein, meaning "to turn away".13
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percussion instrumentIdiophones…they were credited with the apotropaic powers (the special protective powers against evil) accorded this metal in the East. For example, both in various Asian islands and in Greece, it was customary to “sound the chalkos at eclipses of the Moon because it has power to purify and to drive…
Read More…they were credited with the apotropaic powers (the special protective powers against evil) accorded this metal in the East. For example, both in various Asian islands and in Greece, it was customary to “sound the chalkos at eclipses of the Moon because it has power to purify and to drive…
Read More- percussion instrumentSub-Saharan Africa
The apotropaic qualities of metal bells are recognized in Africa, where such bells may be associated with chieftainship. Double bells, usually of metal, share a common handle but differ in length or in diameter and, consequently, always in pitch. Metal double bells are devoid of clappers…
Read MoreThe apotropaic qualities of metal bells are recognized in Africa, where such bells may be associated with chieftainship. Double bells, usually of metal, share a common handle but differ in length or in diameter and, consequently, always in pitch. Metal double bells are devoid of clappers…
Read More