How ancient Greeks transacted with the potentiality of ‘Totem’ and ‘Mana’ (with special reference to the bull and the snake)

Abstract

The early stage of Greek religion reflects primitive concepts of the natural phenomena, which had caused them to concentrate on mysteries and on the belief of the existence of supernatural powers in animate and inanimate objects. Totem worship was the tradition in which the ancients believed that extra-ordinary powers existed in symbolically selected animate and inanimate objects. Mana, on the other hand, was considered the force that generate supernatural power where the human could feel or have contact with the extra human forces. Both would meet the psychological desire of ancient man to acquire a certain amount of transaction with an unfathomable force. Primitive man felt helpless and hence needed an assurance for a peaceful and trouble free life. Due to this fear and instability they had invented modes to win over the good will of the unknown. They believed the interaction would ensure them a hazard free life and benevolence. The discussion examines the two selected totems, namely the bull and the snake where an inquiry would be made on the reason of worship, its nature, its manifestation and its impact.